Hokusai painting
nature in her purest forms
a gift to the world
Hokusai’s Haiku
Guest Post: Kuzunoha And The White Fox
It’s January – the days are short and dark and the nights are long and cold. It’s a perfect time of year for sitting around the fire, lighting candles and storytelling!
We’ve been enchanted by a traditional Japanese folktale from the Kyoto Heian era about a woman called Kuzunoha who is secretly a white fox. We’ve seen enchanting metamorphoses in Japanese stories before – we love The Chrysanthemum Spirit where the noble lady pines for the chrysanthemums in the palace garden so much that a nobleman appears who is the actual spirit of the flower.
Come with us as we take a closer look at Kuzunoha, to discover a little bit more about Japanese storytelling traditions, and also take a look at the symbolism of the fox in Japan.
Women Warriors: Sei Shōnagon
Throughout Japanese history, powerful women have been at the centre of the culture, constantly defying the odds and carving out a name to be remembered. From Tomoe Gozen to Masami Odate, Japanese women have picked up swords and thrown themselves into fights on their personal journeys to define who they are.
Not every woman has needed to pick up a weapon. In the case of Sei Shōnagon, she created a legacy by picking up the pen. A writer, philosopher and courtly woman of intrigue, Shōnagon’s story is a fascinating tale of how to appreciate the small things in life.
Appreciating The Intricacies Of Shinto Funerals With Daken And Wolverine
Everyone has their own way of coping with death, whether through carrying out their own personal rituals or spending time with loved ones. The passing of my grandad has made me think about the burial ceremonies from different cultures, with comics offering an insight into the various practices. After all, death is never constant in comics. But we still mourn characters if we’ve read about them for years.
Japanese funerals are some of the most elaborate, so it seemed appropriate that Wolverine’s death would be honoured through a culture that shaped his life.
During the Death of Wolverine arc, Logan’s son, Daken, carried out a traditional Shinto funeral for his father. Shinto funerals have twenty steps and I’m looking into each one as a way of seeing how grief is processed.
Continue reading “Appreciating The Intricacies Of Shinto Funerals With Daken And Wolverine”
Yamato Magazine Offers Copywriting And Content Marketing Services To Japan-Inspired Brands And More
When it comes to running your business there are only so many hours in the day and in today’s fast-paced digital world it’s vital that you have a high-quality website. And the content on your website can make or break your brand because it’s key to how your customers interpret your products and services.
From web pages to blogs, every little piece of content counts and devoting time to focus on all that detail isn’t everyone’s cup of tea! That’s where a copywriter comes in and Yamato Magazine happens to be run by a content writer who loves getting to the heart of a brand’s story and sharing that story with the world.
That’s why Yamato Magazine offers copywriting services to Japan-related, hospitality and travel businesses. If you’re curious about content writing then you’re in the right place, so read on to find out more about these services.
Kinjo Shiro Shochu Review: Sweet And Savoury Heaven In A Glass
Ever tried Japanese shochu? If not, you’re missing out on a world of incredible flavour and history. Yamato Magazine has become something of an evangelical space for Japan’s indigenous spirit and diving down the shochu rabbit hole continues with the beautiful kinjo shiro shochu from Takahashi Shuzo.
Continue reading “Kinjo Shiro Shochu Review: Sweet And Savoury Heaven In A Glass”
Kaido Blue Shochu Review: A Savoury Crowd Pleaser From Hamada Syuzou
They say some drinks are an acquired taste and with shochu that rings true. Because once you’ve developed a taste for Japan’s national spirit, you’ll fall down the rabbit hole and want to discover as many varietals as your hands and wallet will allow.
One of the latest drinks I’ve tasted on my shochu odyssey is Kaido blue from the Hamada Syuzou distillery, which is also responsible for the glorious Daiyame sweet potato shochu.
Continue reading “Kaido Blue Shochu Review: A Savoury Crowd Pleaser From Hamada Syuzou”
Fire Water Of The Kamuni: Burash
Japanese spirits like shochu aren’t that well-known in Western countries. But when you develop a taste for shochu, it’s easy to disappear down the rabbit hole and drinking the spirit has inspired the creation of a spirit for my horror world of The Frontier.
No matter where you come from on The Frontier, alcohol is the great equaliser, playing a vital role in religion, politics and everyday life. The same goes for the kamuni, who use alcohol as a way to be closer to their beliefs, celebrate and mark important milestones.
A popular drink within kamuni culture is burash, a type of spirit that can be made from several ingredients and has a huge range of flavour profiles.
Unlocking The Mysteries Of Tinek And The Secret Brewing Techniques Of The Kamuni
The drinking traditions of different cultures is fascinating and Japanese sake is one of the most unique beverages on the planet. I enjoy drinking it so much that it inspired the creation of a fantastical drink that fits into the world of The Frontier, a horror western universe inhabited by monsters and gunslingers.
Tinek is the spirtual drink of the kamuni and you can learn more about it here.
Continue reading “Unlocking The Mysteries Of Tinek And The Secret Brewing Techniques Of The Kamuni”
Flights Of Fantasy: Itsano
Flights Of Fantasy examines the drinking habits of characters from fantasy and horror fiction and in this edition the spotlight is on Itsano from Tales Of The Frontier. A kamuni battle conductor, healer and warrior, Itsano would have a great love for sake because it has similar characteristics to tinek, the drink of his people.
Let’s take a closer look at the kind of nihonshu Itsano would drink.
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