Toyoshimaya - Preserving traditional flavors with "Tate Sauce." A wide range from classic sauces to "super spicy sauce" and "restaurant-grade dashi."

豊島屋(タテソース):各種ソース

What kind of sauce do you have in your kitchen?

The one that has been in my house since I was a child is "Tate Sauce".

As the name suggests, it is a sauce with a shield (tate) mark.
Moreover, I clearly remember that a clerk at a nearby store used to wear an apron with the Tate Sauce mark.

So, for me, when it comes to sauce, it is Tate Sauce.

The company that manufactures this Tate Sauce is "Teshimaya" located in the Tamashima area of western Kurashiki City.

Teshimaya is a long-established company founded in the mid-Edo period and began manufacturing sauce early in the Chugoku region.

In the local Okayama Prefecture area, Tate Sauce is a familiar sauce.
It is loved not only in households but also in many restaurants.

Additionally, among spicy food lovers and sauce enthusiasts, it is nationally famous as the manufacturer of "Super Spicy Sauce".
It has been featured in many mass media outlets and has become a hot topic.

Let me introduce Teshimaya, the company behind the well-known Tate Sauce, which is one of the leading long-established companies in Kurashiki City.

Teshimaya is a long-established sauce and seasoning manufacturer known for "Tate Sauce"

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Exterior

Teshimaya is located in the Tamashima area of western Kurashiki City.
The center of the Tamashima area is Tamashima Chuo-cho.

Teshimaya has a long history, with a remarkable 300 years of establishment!

Mainly manufacturing various sauces under the "Tate Sauce" brand, it also produces seasonings and processed foods such as tsuyu (soup base), tare (sauce), soy sauce, and vinegar.

Additionally, it manufactures both commercial and household products, with about 65% for commercial use and about 35% for household use.

As of 2024, Ono Yutaka is serving as the representative director.

Founded in the mid-Edo period, the store name is derived from the roots of the founding family

The founding of Teshimaya dates back to the mid-Edo period.
In the 5th year of the Kyoho era (1720), Teshimaya was established as a wholesaler dealing in cotton and marine products.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Teshimaya in the Edo period
A painting depicting Teshimaya from around 1884, displayed in the company

The current center of Tamashima was created by the Bitchu Matsuyama Domain, which reclaimed the sea to create a port.
Teshimaya started its business in the port town of Tamashima, which was a major logistics hub.

The place where it was founded is now the Tocho Shopping Street.

The name Teshimaya is derived from the fact that the founding family, the Ono family, moved from Toshima District in Musashi Province.

Toshima District is located in the area from the central to northern part of the 23 special wards of Tokyo.
Note that while Toshima in Musashi and Tokyo is read as "Toshima," Teshimaya is read as "Teshima."

Started manufacturing sauce in 1933

Although Teshimaya was founded as a wholesaler dealing in cotton and marine products, it eventually began brewing soy sauce as well.

In 1890, it changed its business model to specialize in soy sauce brewing.
In 1914, it also began brewing vinegar.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Teshimaya around 1951
A photo of Teshimaya from around 1951, displayed in the company

In 1930, a vinegar brewing factory was built at the current location of Teshimaya.

Then, in 1933, it started manufacturing sauce.

The sauce manufacturing since the early Showa period is among the oldest in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions!
There is over 80 years of history in sauce manufacturing alone.

In 1948, "Teshimaya Co., Ltd." was established.

The brand name "Tate Sauce" comes from a poem by a national scholar from the late Edo period

▼When you think of Teshimaya, you think of the shield (tate) mark "Tate Sauce".

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Signboard

This Tate Sauce brand has been used since the start of sauce manufacturing in 1933.

The name "Tate" and the shield mark are derived from the following poem by the national scholar Suzuki Shigetane, who was active in the late Edo period.

To die as the shield of the Emperor, my heart is always joyful.

The name and mark "Tate" embody the desire to "protect tradition and flavor strongly like a shield".

Additionally, for some products such as vinegar and soy sauce, there is also the brand "Yamate".
This combines the initial "te" of Teshimaya with "yama" for good fortune.

Teshimaya's building has a historical atmosphere

The center of Tamashima has many old townscapes that retain the appearance of the mid-Showa period.

As a result, it has been used as a filming location for movies such as "ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street".

▼The building of Teshimaya also conveys a sense of history.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Exterior

The building of Teshimaya is from the time when sauce manufacturing started in 1933.

I felt that the charm lies not only in the taste and the company but also in the fact that the building has been passed down to the present.

Teshimaya's household products are available for purchase online

Teshimaya's household products can be purchased at supermarkets and food stores within Okayama Prefecture.

Some stores outside the prefecture also carry them, and they are sold at the Okayama and Tottori joint antenna shop "Tottori Okayama Shimbashi-kan" located in Shimbashi, Tokyo.

Additionally, they can be purchased at Teshimaya's head office.
Payments at the head office are cash only.

Furthermore, there is also Teshimaya's official online shop, where you can purchase online.
Please give it a try.

Note that the online shop also sells some commercial products.

Recommended and popular products from Teshimaya

Teshimaya handles a very large number of products.
For household use alone, there are about 50 varieties.

▼The main household products from Teshimaya include the following lineup.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Product List
Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Product List

Therefore, I will introduce some recommended and popular products from Teshimaya's household product lineup.

Prices include tax. Product names, capacities, and prices are as of October 2024.

"Super Spicy Sauce" is a focus for spicy food fans and sauce lovers nationwide!

▼While Tate Sauce is familiar in the local Okayama Prefecture area, the product that made the name Tate Sauce known nationwide is "Super Spicy Sauce".

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Super Spicy Sauce

If someone outside Okayama Prefecture knows Tate Sauce, they might think of this Super Spicy Sauce.

Super Spicy Sauce has gained popularity among spicy food lovers and sauce enthusiasts.
It has been featured in various media, rapidly spreading the name Tate Sauce nationwide.

Of course, Super Spicy Sauce is one of the most popular products among Teshimaya's household offerings.
In 2018, Super Spicy Sauce sold approximately 48,000 bottles annually, based on a 360-milliliter calculation.

▼The label of Super Spicy Sauce certainly conveys an impression of being extremely spicy!

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Label of Super Spicy Sauce

Super Spicy Sauce is a rich sauce that contains a lot of chili extract and black pepper.

The spicy component capsaicin found in chili is included at a concentration 100 times that of Teshimaya's other sauces.

This is what captivates the hearts of spicy food lovers and sauce enthusiasts, creating an addictive flavor.

Moreover, Super Spicy Sauce is not just spicy.

▼One of the standard sauces from Tate Sauce, "Okonomi DRY", serves as the base for Super Spicy Sauce.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Super Spicy Sauce and Okonomi DRY

Okonomi DRY uses carefully selected vegetables and fruits, providing a fruity flavor with a good balance of sweetness, spiciness, and acidity.

Not only is it spicy, but it also has a deep and mellow flavor, which is a key point of Super Spicy Sauce!

▼Super Spicy Sauce is quite thick.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Super Spicy Sauce

I tried it with a little bit on takoyaki, and thanks to its stickiness, I was able to properly apply it even in small amounts on top of the takoyaki.

It was sweeter than I expected, with a moderate acidity, and at the same time, even in small amounts, it has a sharp, piercing spiciness.

However, as I continued eating the takoyaki, I surprisingly didn't notice the spiciness much.
That said, be careful not to use too much!

According to President Ohno, the Super Spicy Sauce is a sauce that enhances curry rice.

When you drizzle the Super Spicy Sauce in a "strong line" on finished curry rice, even a failed dish can taste like it's from a hotel!

Please give it a try.

A Rich Variety of Classic Sauces from Worcestershire to Tonkatsu and Okonomiyaki

▼ A variety of classic sauces that Toyoshimaya has been manufacturing since long ago.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Various Classic Sauces

From Worcestershire sauce "Worcestershire," to medium-thick sauce "Soft," and even rich sauces, there are various options for different uses such as "Tonkatsu," "Okonomiyaki," "Okonomi DRY," and "Yakisoba."

I still remember that when I was a child, we had Worcestershire sauce and sauces for tonkatsu and okonomiyaki at home.

Moreover, the label design is almost the same.
I think this retro label is also a point of the Tate Sauce.

Toyoshimaya's Tate Sauce remains a classic sauce that is still popular in the local area.

▼ During the interview, I purchased three types: Worcestershire, Soft, and Okonomi DRY for home use.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Soft, Worcestershire, Okonomi DRY

▼ Worcestershire sauce is a thin sauce without thickness.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Worcestershire Sauce

The sweetness and acidity spread gently in the mouth.

With a good balance of "sweetness, spiciness, and acidity," it is also recommended as a Kushi Katsu Sauce!

▼ Soft sauce is a type that has thickness.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Soft Sauce

Soft sauce is what is commonly referred to as medium-thick sauce.
It is slightly less thick than rich sauce.

That said, it still has a solid thickness.
Additionally, it has a distinctive sweetness, making it delicious even on its own.

My child was licking and savoring the soft sauce by itself.

▼ As mentioned earlier, Okonomi DRY is the base sauce for the Super Spicy Sauce.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Okonomi DRY Sauce

Okonomi DRY sauce is a type of rich sauce, so it has a stronger thickness.

While it has sweetness, it also has a fruity flavor, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.
Like the soft sauce, it is delicious even on its own.

"Ryotei Dashi" is a Versatile Player That Can Be Applied to Various Dishes

▼ Following the Super Spicy Sauce, Toyoshimaya's next popular product is Ryotei Dashi.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Ryotei Dashi

Originally, it was a product called "Kake Jiman," a soup for udon shops.

When President Ohno participated in his child's sports day, he provided udon.
At that time, he made the dashi by mixing 1 part Kake Jiman with 10 parts hot water and served the udon.

As a result, many parents requested, "It tastes good, so we want it for home use," leading to its commercialization.

In 1991, it was launched under the name "Ryotei Dashi" with the catchphrase "Easy, Convenient, Fun."

It quickly became a popular product.

▼ During the interview, President Ohno actually made udon soup with Ryotei Dashi and let us taste it.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): President Ohno Yutaka

▼ Even before drinking, a good aroma of dashi wafts through.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Ryotei Dashi

When you drink it, the good flavor of dashi spreads in your mouth, with a deep taste, making it seem suitable for various dishes beyond just udon soup.

In fact, Ryotei Dashi is perfect for the following dishes.

DishesMixing Ratio
Udon11 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 10)
Yosenabe13 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 12)
Oden13 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 12)
Takikomi Gohan13 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 12)
Zousui13 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 12)
Chawanmushi13 times
(Ryotei Dashi 1: Water or Hot Water 12)

It seems like it can be applied to various other dishes as well.

"Bokke E Umakara Shoyu" is Also Popular Among Spicy Fans

Bokke E Umakara Shoyu is a soy sauce version of the Super Spicy Sauce.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Bokke E Umakara Shoyu

Bokke E Umakara Shoyu was released in 2007.

This soy sauce contains the spicy component of chili pepper, capsaicin.
"Bokke E" means "incredible" in Okayama dialect (Bichu dialect).

▼ If you look closely, you can see finely chopped chili peppers in the soy sauce.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Bokke E Umakara Shoyu

I tried putting a little Bokke E Umakara Shoyu on rice with raw egg and tofu.

Even in small amounts, you can feel the sweet and spicy flavor of the soy sauce along with the spiciness of the chili pepper.
The flavor of the dish feels nicely tightened!

It is also recommended as a dipping sauce for pickles and grilled fish.

Bokke E Umakara Shoyu is very popular among middle-aged and older people!
It might be because it has a bit of a kick.

Of course, be careful not to use too much Bokke E Umakara Shoyu either.

"Hormone Yaki no Tare" Can Be Widely Used Beyond Hormone Udon

Hormone Yaki no Tare is a sauce for the local dish "Hormone Udon" from Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Hormone Yaki no Tare

It was newly released when Tsuyama's Hormone Udon began to gain attention as a local gourmet dish.

Therefore, although it is named "Hormone Yaki no Tare," it is actually a very convenient "Yakiniku Sauce."

Toyoshimaya's Hormone Yaki no Tare is characterized by its wide applicability beyond just Hormone Udon.
It is also delicious when used for pork bowls, stir-fried meat and vegetables, fried rice, and more.

It goes well with various ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetables.

  • Grilled Meat
  • Stir-fried Vegetables
  • Grilled Seafood
  • Raw Vegetables
  • Fried Rice

▼ Hormone Yaki no Tare is well-balanced with honjozo soy sauce, mirin, sake, and miso.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Hormone Yaki no Tare

The abundant apples and the secret chicken soup are key points.

Therefore, I found Hormone Yaki no Tare to have a mellow taste that is easy to eat.
I tried it on a salad of raw vegetables, and I thought it surprisingly worked well!

Hormone Yaki no Tare was released in 2009.

"Shio Tare" Has Coarsely Ground Black Pepper for a Spicy Kick

Shio Tare is a salty sauce, as the name suggests.

Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Shio Tare (Photo provided by Toyoshimaya)
Toyoshimaya (Tate Sauce): Shio Tare (Photo provided by Toyoshimaya)

Shio Tare was released in 2002.

▼ When I took a sip, a refreshing salty flavor and the spicy flavor of coarsely ground black pepper spread in my mouth all at once.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Salt Sauce

You can feel that it would be delicious if you grilled meat with this the moment you taste it.

The salt sauce is a well-balanced blend of coarsely ground black pepper, garlic, and salt.
It works well with a wide range of dishes including meat, seafood, and vegetables.

It's also great for spaghetti and barbecues!

It seems to go well with other dishes like yakitori.
I think salt kalbi rice bowls and salt yakisoba would also be delicious.

Collaborative products with other companies!

Teshimaya's products have been loved by the local community for a long time.

As a result, collaborative products with other companies have also appeared.

Here, I will introduce some of the collaborative products with other companies.

"Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie" is a collaboration between Hirai and Teshimaya's soy sauce "Miro"

▼"Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie" is a collaboration between Hirai, a Japanese confectionery store in Tamashima, and Teshimaya's soy sauce "Miro."

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie and Miro
Photo provided by: Teshimaya

Hirai is known as the manufacturer of the famous Tamashima confectionery "Ryochan Temari."

Miro is a popular product made from honjozo koikuchi soy sauce, known for its deep umami and rich aroma.

▼The Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie has a stylish and elegant package.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie

▼It has a leaf-like shape, and the surface is made of rice crackers.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie

▼The back side looks like this.

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Tamano Ura Soy Sauce Pie

It has a light and crispy texture unique to the flaky pie.
Along with the sweet buttery aroma of the pie, there was a refined taste of sweet and savory soy sauce.

This is quite delicious!

By the way, the product name "Tamano Ura" refers to the name of the area when Tamashima was part of the sea before the land reclamation in the Edo period.
The name Tamano Ura also appears in the "Manyoshu" (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves).

"Salt Sauce Flavor Yokozuna Ichiban" and "Salt Sauce Flavor Okaki" are collaborations between Hanada Foods and Teshimaya's "Salt Sauce"

▼"Salt Sauce Flavor Yokozuna Ichiban" and "Salt Sauce Flavor Okaki" are collaborations between Hanada Foods and Teshimaya's "Salt Sauce."

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Yokozuna Ichiban and Okaki

Hanada Foods is a company located in Tamashima that, like Teshimaya, produces confectionery and bottled soft drinks.

The popular Yokozuna Ichiban and Okaki from Hanada Foods are flavored with Teshimaya's salt sauce.
You can enjoy the unique spicy flavor of the salt sauce.

Founded about 300 years ago, Teshimaya has been producing Tate Sauce for about 80 years.
While being loved by the local community, it has also gained national attention with products like super spicy sauce.

I interviewed the representative director and president of Teshimaya, Ono Yutaka.

Teshimaya (てしまや) Data

Teshimaya (Tate Sauce): Appearance
Organization NameTeshimaya (てしまや)
IndustryFood Manufacturing and Sales (Sauces, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Other Seasonings, Chili Extract)
Representative NameOno Yutaka
Established YearEstablished: August 1, 1948, Founded: 1720
Address1-7-8 Chuo-cho, Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact086-522-2148
WebsiteTeshimaya in Tamashima, Kurashiki City - Tate Sauce / Super Spicy Sauce / Okonomiyaki Sauce / Restaurant Dashi / Soy Sauce, Sauce, and Vinegar Manufacturer

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This article was written by a citizen writer
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A professional freelance writer specializing in interviews and reporting, as well as a photo writer. Well-versed in local culture, geography, history, and food. Also handles employee interviews, case studies, and recruitment content for companies.

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