As a qualified sake sommelier and international kikisakeshi, I always find it worthwhile to continue to further my Japanese drinks education. Thanks to the kind folks over at Taste of Japan, I have some new bottles to work through and here are three of my favourites from the Taste of Japan range.
Continue reading “Sake Flight Review Featuring Tsuki No Katsura and Endo Brewery”
In my home city of Manchester, there’s a statue of the influential feminist and activist Emmeline Pankhurst. She was a key figure in the Suffragette movement, fighting for women’s rights alongside Emily Davison, Dora Thewlis and many other women across Europe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The suffragette movement swept the western world, smashing traditions and upsetting the status quo and we can’t overlook the fact that it didn’t stop in Europe or the US. A world away in Japan, women were campaigning for their right to be seen as human beings in a society that had arguably even more restrictions than the west, with women like Hiratsuka Raicho leading the charge.
A pioneering feminist in Japan, Raicho shook the foundations of her country with the same force as Pankhurst did in the UK. Her character, strength and willpower are contained within the first issue of a feminist magazine she founded called Seito (Bluestocking): ‘In the beginning, woman was the sun. An authentic person. Now she’s the moon, a wan and sickly moon, dependent on another, reflecting another’s brilliance.’
Continue reading “The Thunderbird And The Fight For Women’s Rights”
The world of Japanese drinks is an endlessly fascinating space. Whether it’s the variety of sake or the deep traditions of spirits like shochu and awamori, Japanese drinking culture has something for everyone. And if you’re interested in falling down the Japanese drinks rabbit hole, you’ll want to read The Art Of Mixing Koji Cocktails by Sam Boulton.
An accessible guide to Japanese drinks, the book covers different production methods, categories, brands and cocktails to try.
Continue reading “The Art Of Mixing Koji Cocktails Is A Book For Japanese Drink Nerds & Beginners”
Walking through this world
changing seasons, full circle
good while it lasted
The world is full of fascinating drinks. Beverages that go hand in hand with the stories and histories of different cultures and a perfect example is Japanese sake. Versatile, delicious and accessible, sake has lots of enjoyable qualities and in the UK, the majority of sake activity is concentrated in London. But the capital isn’t the only sake game in town.
Manchester is flying the flag for Japan’s national drink up north through organisations like the Northern Wine School for sake education and tastings.
Meanwhile, the Japanese food scene in Manchester continues to go from strength to strength with loads of tasty concepts that involve finding the meaning of life at the bottom of a bowl of ramen or elevating sushi to new heights.
Among these restaurants and bars, you’ll find plenty of great sake and this guide will take you on a voyage across Manchester in search of what to try and buy.
Tonight there is joy
The music of the city
is alive and well
in the hearts and minds of men
cherishing partners always
Over the years, the sake scene in the UK has got stronger, with most activity concentrated in London. This progress is gradually expanding out from the capital and Sam Boulton is one of the key movers.
The owner of Birmingham sake bar, Shibuya Underground, Boulton is keen to bring more awareness to nihonshu, shochu and awamori to UK consumers. He’s also a man after my own heart by being interested in a variety of obscure drinks that deserve more recognition.
The world of sake is made up of interesting folks who’ve dedicated themselves to keeping the rich history of Japan’s native drink alive. Folks who’re leaving their own unique mark and something very special is going on at the Miyoshikiku brewery in Tokushima Prefecture.
Meet Mamiya Ryōichirō, the 5th generation head of the Miyoshikiku brewery. A born RocknRolla with a taste for out of the box sake and a man I had the pleasure of interviewing alongside Kyoko Nagano.
Continue reading “Walking On The Wild Side Of Sake With The Miyoshikiku Brewery”
The sake industry is filled with people who’re passionate about keeping Japan’s native drink alive domestically and overseas. Kyoko Nagano is one of those champions and works with small sake breweries all over Japan to spread the good word of nihonshu.
It was a pleasure to speak to Kyoko about her sake experiences and she’s got a lot of great information to share.
If it takes time to become acquainted with a person in any meaningful way, then a bowl of noodles needs to be raised for John Daschbach. After spending an entire year filming a master ramen chef, the Tokyo-based filmmaker’s latest film Come Back Anytime beautifully captures the feeling of finally getting to know someone.
Continue reading “Guest Post: A Bowl Of Heart: A Film About More Than Just Ramen”
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