The House of Suntory, the founding house of Japanese whisky, has announced Hibiki Whisky’s first global campaign, featuring award–winning actress Anna Sawai.

“The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry” invites consumers worldwide to experience key elements of Japanese culture through whisky, nature and contemporary artistry. The campaign bridges tradition and modernity through a rare collaboration with Japan’s oldest-run kimono house and pinnacle of luxury, Chiso Kimono House.

At the heart of the campaign is a cinematic hero film that draws parallels between kimono-making and whisky blending, two crafts shaped by time and precision. Sawai appears as Hibiki’s Global Ambassador, wearing a kimono from the historic Chiso Kimono House, crafted using traditional yuzen dyeing techniques and seasonal motifs inspired by Japan’s landscapes.

Within the hero film, a butterfly rests on Anna’s hand, echoing the patterns of the Chiso kimono. Subtle yet symbolic, it becomes a thread throughout the campaign. The butterfly, a kokimurasaki (purple) motif, echoes Hibiki’s signature kokimurasaki hue, which is found on the neck of the bottle, and is one of Japan’s most noble colours.

Sawai said: “Becoming Hibiki’s first Global Ambassador feels natural because we share the same reverence for Japanese artistry and the beauty found in patience, balance and detail.

“Hibiki represents a quiet kind of mastery, something refined over time with care and intention. As an actor, I’m drawn to that same philosophy of craft, where every choice is deliberate, and every moment matters. To represent a brand that embodies the harmony between nature, time and human artistry is incredibly meaningful to me.”

The campaign will run throughout 2026, with content launching across key markets including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Northern Europe, China, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, India, Canada, Brazil and Mexico.