Although many varieties of sakamai had been developed in Yamagata Prefecture since the old times, partly due to the decline of Kame no o for a certain period, Iwate Prefecture lacked a unique sakamai of its own and was obliged to rely on supplies from other prefectures.
古くから多くの酒米が開発されてきた酒どころとしては、亀の尾が一時期衰退してしまったこともあり、同県は長らく県独自のこれといった酒米に恵まれず、他県からの移入に頼っていた。