Rita or Jessie Roberta Cowan grew up in Glasgow where she met Masataka Taketsuru, one of Japan’s most recognized whiskey veterans.  Masataka’s family owned a sake brewery that was in business since the early 18th century. Having to take over the family trade, Masataka travelled to Scotland to study chemistry. He then took up apprenticeship at the Longmorn distillery in Speyside and later at the Hazelburn Distillery in Campbeltown where he learned the secrets of whisky making. It was during his time in Glasgow where he met and fell in love with Rita. They married shortly after and left for Japan where Masataka worked on setting up his very own distillery.

During this time, Rita played a critical role where she provided financial as well as moral support to the business. She built a network of contacts that helped when her husband needed investors. With a war hovering over Japan, Rita stood her ground and the distillery prospered, one reason for this was that because of the war it was now impossible to import Scottish whisky.

Rita Taketsuru  has achieved country wide fame as her story and the story of her husband has been dramatized on TV. The show, called Massan was a huge hit with Japanese housewives, all inspired by Rita’s commitment, reportedly drinking so much whisky these days that the demand it difficult to meet. Whether this demand is a short time fad that will disappear or not is difficult to say, however Rita Taketsuru, the loyal supportive wife of Masataka Taketsuru will certainly be remembered in the years to come.