What is "Ono Murasaki GF6" - The Sixth Soy Sauce, From Ono to the World

What is "Ono Murasaki GF6" - The Sixth Soy Sauce, From Ono to the World

A Brewing Facility Using Wooden Vats

Introduction

Ono Town, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. In this port town with a history of about 400 years as a soy sauce production area, a dedicated gluten-free factory has been established.

The soy sauce born from this factory, jointly funded by Ono's brewing businesses, has been named "Ono Murasaki GF6." The naming was done by Kazuhiro Uemura, Managing Director of the Ono Soy Sauce Brewing Cooperative.

"The sixth soy sauce from the traditional production area of Ono to the world" is the sentiment of Mr. Uemura, which is embodied in this name.

What is "Ono Murasaki GF6"?

There are five types of soy sauce defined by JAS: Koikuchi, Usukuchi, Tamari, Saishikomi, and Shiro. Ono Murasaki GF6 signifies the "sixth soy sauce made in Ono (Gluten Free 6th)" following these five types.

While classified as Tamari soy sauce under JAS, it differs from the rich Tamari of the Tokai region.

Ono Murasaki GF6 has a light taste and is a gluten-free soy sauce that can be used as an "everyday soy sauce" to bring out the color and flavor of ingredients.

Ono Murasaki GF6 (Gluten-Free Soy Sauce)

"We have lived our lives dedicated to soy sauce. We have simply focused on making it.

Ono Murasaki GF6 is the culmination of that dedication."

- Kazuhiro Uemura

What the Four Ingredients Tell Us

Organic Whole Soybeans

The ingredients for Ono Murasaki GF6 are only four: organic whole soybeans, organic brown rice, salt (Setouchi seawater salt), and Hakusan spring water. Wheat is not used.

The addition of organic brown rice is a continuation of the traditional brewing method passed down in Ono since the Edo period, which involves "adding rice to soy sauce to bring out natural sweetness." Records of using rice remain in historical documents from the end of the Edo period, and this unique wisdom of Ono also provides an answer to the modern challenge of being gluten-free.

It is aged for one year, and when the umami and aroma are fully developed, it is pressed. It is characterized by a faint sweetness derived from the rice and a clean flavor free of杂味 (zatsumi - unpleasant tastes).

Ono Soy Sauce, One of Japan's Five Major Soy Sauce Production Areas

Approximately 400 years ago, with the backing of the Maeda family, the lord of the Kaga domain, brewing technology from Yuasa, Kii Province, was brought to Ono. The spring water from Mt. Hakusan, the humid climate of the Sea of Japan, the large consumption market of the castle town of Kanazawa, and the port of Ono, where Kitamaebune ships plied their trade. All the conditions necessary for soy sauce production were met in this area, and a unique brewing culture took root.

At its peak, over 60 brewers lined the streets, and it was acclaimed as one of Japan's five major soy sauce production areas, alongside Noda, Choshi, Tatsuno, and Shodoshima.

Currently, there are 9 brewing businesses located in Ono Town. Although the scale has shrunk, there are still those who continue to make soy sauce in this area.

Tradition is not something to be merely preserved, but something to be continuously created. Ono Murasaki GF6 is the latest challenge in this endeavor.

Seeking Partners

The primary target markets for Ono Murasaki GF6 are overseas, and as an allergen-free ingredient for domestic food manufacturers.

Bulk supply in 10-liter cans (18L) and larger capacities is also available.

Food manufacturers and product development managers who wish to utilize gluten-free soy sauce as a raw material.

Export and sales partners both domestically and internationally.

Individuals interested in entering the world of brewing and fermented foods.

Most people are not yet aware that a dedicated gluten-free factory exists in Ono Town, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. We want to deliver this fact to the world first.

Ono Murasaki GF6 (Commercial use available in 18L, 1000L units, etc.)

【Contact and Interview Inquiries】

Ishikawa Ono Soy Sauce Cooperative (Murasaki Kai / Youth Division Secretariat)

4-18-6 Oono-cho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa-ken 920-0331

Tel: 076-254-5601 Fax: 076-254-5548

Web: https://www.oonomurasaki.jp

This press release is the first installment of "Gluten-Free Chronicle."

Scheduled for 12 monthly installments from July 2026 (first issue) to June 2027.

Published by: Murasaki Kai / Ishikawa Ono Soy Sauce Cooperative Youth Division Author: Kohei Yamamoto (Murasaki Kai Chairman)

*The Ishikawa Ono Soy Sauce Cooperative is a cooperative of soy sauce brewers in Ishikawa Prefecture to which Yamato Shoyu Miso Co., Ltd. belongs.