It’s a simple image—Anna Sawai in a kimono while holding a bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony. But like her award-winning portrayal of Lady Toda Mariko in the drama series Shōgun, the photo is deeper than what it reveals at first glance. “The kimono I’m wearing is hand woven and sewn from scratch,” says Sawai. “They told me it took a year to create. So, being able to wear that garment was an incredible experience.”
Created by one of Japan’s oldest-run kimono houses, Chiso, Sawai’s one-of-a-kind piece is inspired by an archival design. It’s a fitting companion for the Hibiki whisky. Sawai remembers the first time she laid eyes on the brand. She was young and not legally allowed to purchase alcohol. But she always saw a few bottles of Hibiki sitting on a bar at a relative’s house. She never dared to touch them because they looked expensive. “Kōkyū,” she says, evoking the Japanese word for high-class or luxurious. “They looked like only adults could touch them.”
She eventually did put her hands on Hibiki whisky bottles. So, when the opportunity to work with the brand presented itself, Sawai immediately agreed. After all, there are many similarities between acting and whisky making. Both require an almost religious devotion to the craft. When Sawai is playing a character, she fully inhabits the role because it’s the only way that the viewer’s immersive experience isn’t broken.
However, Sawai notes that the main difference is the length of time. “I only have to be the character while preparing and shooting. [Shinji] Fukuyo’s entire life revolves around whisky.” Sawai met the House of Suntory’s chief blender at the start of the year when she visited one of the distilleries and marvelled at his dedication.
“He is a stickler about his diet because he needs to have the same palate to taste and nose hundreds of whisky barrels a day. It’s not something that a machine can do for you because you need to be able to consistently recreate the taste of the Hibiki Harmony,” Sawai shares. Every morning, before work, Fukuyo also prays at the small Shiio Shrine next to the distillery where he works. He’s never deviated from this routine unless he’s overseas. Sawai admires the discipline.
In many ways, the actress is treading down a similar path. After winning Outstanding Lead Actress in the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards, her star skyrocketed. Furthermore, she was the first actress of Asian descent to win in this specific category. Such an accolade can be a heavy burden, with thousands of people putting you on a pedestal—and many more wanting to tear you down.
Sawai is unfazed. More than anything, she feels a strong sense of responsibility. “I don’t want to take on roles that put me in a pigeonhole. I want to keep pushing myself and consequently, also push the people I represent forward. It’s a lot of pressure. But there’s also a sense of freedom in doing what I believe in.”
Being Hibiki’s first global ambassador propels Sawai’s vision. Everyone, from whisky connoisseurs to teetotallers, associates Hibiki with Japan and the country’s traditions. The whisky is a blend from the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, which reflects the Japanese concept of ‘wa’, or balance and harmony. Sawai is just one of the many who fly that flag with pride and she hopes that her campaign can educate the world about Japanese culture.
“There is so much depth and artistry going into a bottle of Hibiki. I’ve experienced it and I want the world to see that, too,” says Sawai. There is warmth in every dram and if you close your eyes and savour the liquid gold in your mouth, you’ll also feel a natural coastal breeze and the gentle undulation of a river. At least that’s what Sawai feels.
It might look like a simple bottle, textured and sculpted, designed to sit unobtrusively on a bar shelf or counter. Yet, it holds centuries of craftsmanship, passed down from one generation to another, from the distillers who have passed to Fukuyo. And now, Sawai holds the legacy, cradling it in her hand.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
