Miso: A Quintessential Japanese Seasoning

An ancient forerunner to miso from Nara Prefecture. (Courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries)

Saikyō miso from Kyoto. (Courtesy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries)

Barrels of Hatchō miso. (Courtesy Okazaki City municipal government, Aichi Prefecture)

Hatchō miso. (Courtesy Okazaki municipal government, Aichi Prefecture)