Hibiki Global Campaign: Emmy Winner Anna Sawai on Craft

From Kimono to Whisky: Exploring the Harmony Between Hibiki and Japanese Artistry

House of Suntory has officially announced the launch of the first major global campaign for its whisky brand, Hibiki, titled "The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry," featuring Emmy Award winner Anna Sawai as its first global brand ambassador. The campaign's core film deeply connects the craft of whisky blending with traditional kimono making. In collaboration with the historic Japanese house Chiso, the film showcases the shared spirit of craftsmanship, precision, and the patience required to master both arts through exquisite play of light and shadow.

In the film, Anna Sawai wears an exquisite kimono created by Chiso using the traditional "Yuzen" dyeing technique. The pattern blends Japanese natural landscapes with deep purple butterfly motifs, symbolizing the noble identity of the Hibiki brand. Additionally, two behind-the-scenes shorts reveal the artistry behind the details, including a visit to artist Eriko Horiki, who has been handcrafting the labels for Hibiki bottles since 1989. The shorts demonstrate how she utilizes water, fiber, and time to create the Washi paper labels that define the brand's visual identity.

The Hibiki series perfectly embodies the philosophy of "wa" (harmony) in Japanese culture, meticulously blending premium malt and grain whiskies from the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries. The legendary roots of House of Suntory date back to 1923, when founder Shinjiro Torii established Japan's first malt whisky distillery, later expanded by Keizo Saji. Today, the brand's portfolio includes world-renowned series such as Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, and Suntory Whisky Toki.

This large-scale global campaign will roll out across key markets including Taiwan, the USA, UK, Germany, France, China, Singapore, and Mexico. It will also coincide with the official opening of the new terminal at New York's JFK Airport, featuring a kimono art installation. As the brand ambassador, Anna Sawai successfully bridges traditional values with a modern vision, bringing Japanese cultural values to life for a global audience. This marks not only a milestone for Hibiki on the international cultural stage but also a commitment to sharing the aesthetic story of nature, time, and human craftsmanship.

📅 Release Date: 2026-05-11

🔗 Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/hibiki-launches-first-global-campaign-with-emmy-award-winning-actor-anna-sawai/