Anna Sawai Is Hibiki Whisky's First Ever Global Ambassador

Singer and actress Anna Sawai has just been unveiled as Hibiki Whisky's first-ever global ambassador.

The whisky, made by legendary Japanese whisky makers, The House of Suntory, will also have its first-ever global campaign dubbed “The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry". The campaign will be led by Sawai clad in a traditional Japanese kimono while holding a bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Sawai will also star in a short film for the brand that traces the connection between kimono-making and whisky blending, two crafts the brand says is “shaped by time and precision".

In released pictures, Sawai wears a custom silk kimono from Chiso, Japan’s oldest-run kimono house. Hand-painted using traditional yuzen hand-dyeing techniques, the garment features Japanese landscape motifs and a purple butterfly on the collar that is said to mirror Hibiki’s signature kokimurasaki (deep purple) bottle neck.

In a marriage of both craftsmanship aspects together, the bottles are adorned with handcrafted washi paper labels by artist Eriko Horiki, who has produced them for the brand since 1989.

Sawai’s appointment comes as no surprise: the 33-year-old star transitioned from a prominent career in Japan to global stardom via breakout roles in Pachinko and Shogun. According to the House of Suntory, she perfectly bridges tradition and modernity, embodying the global influence and deep heritage needed to translate the quiet strength of Japanese culture for an international audience.

The House of Suntory has announced that Sawai’s campaign will run through 2026 across multiple global markets and media channels.

Key highlights include a curated kimono installation at JFK Airport, strategically timed to coincide with the grand opening of the new Terminal One international hub.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team