Tag: ainu

The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: A Conversation With Kamui Whisky K.K Founder Casey Wahl

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Kamui whisky KK.

Japanese whisky is one of the hottest drink categories in the world, with plenty of innovation happening year to year. It’s wonderful to see the industry growing and a brand to look out for on the horizon is Kamui whisky K.K.

It was a pleasure to interview founder Casey Wahl about the journey of distilling whisky in the far north of Japan on Rishiri island, the uniqueness of local culture and how the whisky is going to be a champion for the region.

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Shochu Reviews

Tantakatan Shochu Review: You Won’t Be A Fish Out Of Water With This Delicate Drink

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TAN TAKA TAN 750ml 720ml 2020 Monde Selection Gold Award

In terms of ingredients, shochu may well be the most diverse spirit on the planet. Japan’s best kept secret can be made from lots of unusual substances. I’ve gravitated to more niche varieties of shochu and Tantakatan shiso comfortably sits in that camp.

A shochu with a fishy tale behind it, there’s a lot to enjoy about this delightful drink.

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Pop Culture and Japan

Cultural Displacement And Complex Identities: An Overview Of The Kamuni

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Japanese culture has had a big impact on me. Hell, it inspired the creation of Yamato Magazine and it’s been influential in crafting a world in which I’ve been able to publish my debut novella AT THE DEAD OF DUSK. Set within a dark western world called The Frontier, the novella follows an infamous witch hunter transporting a young woman across dangerous terrain.

When creating The Frontier, I dipped into my love of Japanese culture and created a group of people called kamuni. Much of the kamuni’s history has been inspired by the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan who have their origins in Hokkaido. Read on to discover more about the kamuni.

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