Oita Brewery began its sake-making journey in the 1720s. Even in a region known for its thriving sake production, Takeda's offerings stood out for their dryness, earning them a reputation. This led to the sake name 'Oni Koroshi,' meaning 'Demon Slayer,' inspired by its notably dry character. Over time, this name became synonymous with dry sake across Japan. While there are now around 50 brands carrying the 'Oni Koroshi' name, Takeda Brewery's 'Hida Pride Oni Koroshi' is considered the original and remains a benchmark of quality in the category.