Read as “tenkaichi” in Japanese.
Explanation of “Tenkaichi”.
- Being so outstanding that there is nothing comparable within the realm (nation, world, Earth, field).
- In the early modern period, families of casters, potters, and others permitted to use the title “Tenka-ichi” (the best in the land) as meaning the sole master craftsman in the realm. Also, the mark on the work of those who considered themselves masters. Originating from Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi granting it to outstanding makers of mirrors, kettles, pottery, etc. It was also sometimes bestowed as an honorary title upon brave warriors in battle.
- A name for Kagoshima’s black sugar shochu. It uses a larger quantity of black sugar than standard black sugar shochu and undergoes up to three fermentation stages. Ingredients are black sugar and rice koji. Alcohol content is 25% or 30%.
