Award-winning actress Anna Sawai is now Hibiki’s first Global Brand Ambassador, starting a new era for the famous Japanese whisky. Her partnership comes with Hibiki’s new global campaign, The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry, which highlights Japanese craftsmanship, tradition, and precision.
Anna Sawai, recognized worldwide for her role in the TV series Shōgun, brings both elegance and authenticity to the campaign. In the film, her narration shares Hibiki whisky’s philosophy of patience, balance, and artistry developed over generations. “We do not simply create a whisky — we compose it,” she says in the campaign, comparing whisky-making to poetry, the changing seasons, and kimono craftsmanship.
The campaign highlights Hibiki’s deep-rooted connection to Japanese culture and heritage. Produced by the House of Suntory, Hibiki is crafted using whiskies from the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. The blend embodies the Japanese concept of “wa,” meaning harmony, a principle that guides every stage of production.
The House of Suntory was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, who started Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki. His son, Keizo Saji, later expanded the legacy by developing the Hakushu and Chita distilleries. Today, Suntory still makes its whisky only in Japan, keeping the brand’s authenticity and craftsmanship alive.
Sawai’s new role comes at an important time in her career. In 2024, she became the first Japanese actress to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her work in Shōgun. She has also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe. Soon, she will play Yoko Ono in Sam Mendes’ upcoming film project, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.
The campaign’s visuals honor traditional Japanese art. Sawai wears a handmade kimono from Chiso Kimono House, Japan’s oldest family-run kimono maker, founded in 1555. The kimono features detailed patterns inspired by Japanese landscapes and showcases the house’s famous yuzen hand-dyeing methods.
A butterfly theme appears throughout the campaign film, representing transformation and beauty. Its deep purple color, called kokimurasaki in Japan, matches the purple accent on Hibiki bottles. The campaign also includes behind-the-scenes looks at how Hibiki’s washi paper labels are made and the detailed work of kimono-making in Kyoto.
Sawai called the partnership deeply personal and meaningful. She said Hibiki’s focus on refinement, purpose, and artistry aligns with her own approach to acting and creative work.
The partnership between Hibiki and Anna Sawai brings together modern global influence and long-standing Japanese tradition. With this campaign, Hibiki shares its whisky and celebrates the artistry, patience, and cultural heritage that shape Japanese craftsmanship worldwide.
