Thinking of getting a Japanese-style tattoo? Want to avoid a permanent mistake? Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese irezumi (tattoos).Japanese Tattoos explains the imagery featured in Japanese tattoos so that readers can avoid getting ink they don't understand or, worse, that they'll regret. This photo-heavy book will also trace the history of Japanese tattooing, putting the iconography and kanji symbol...

**2021 Gourmand Cookbook Award Winner for Japan in Spirits and Other Drinks**The Japanese Sake Bible is the ultimate book about Japan's national drink—from its history, culture and production methods to how to choose the best sake and recommended food pairings.Author Brian Ashcraft—the author of the popular guide Japanese Whisky—has put together lively commentaries based on dozens of interviews with master brewers and sake...

Acquiring a list of useful idioms could take an individual several years to encounter. Countless experiences are consolidated here to make your business speak pop. The Jargonaut Express helps you be there in stride with business professionals who speak a common language. If you are going to use idiomatic expressions to add some color to your vocabulary, you should first know and understand exactly what it is you are saying so that you can say it with a boost of confidence. When done well, ...

"In his new book, journalist Brian Ashcraft digs into the short but colorful history of the Japanese liquor and the process that differentiates Japan's labels from their Western cousins. Plus, whisky authority Yuji Kawasaki shares tasting notes for more than a hundred bottles."—Travel + LeisureJapanese whisky has been around for less than a century, but is now winning all the major international awards. How did this happen and what are the secrets of the m...

"The schoolgirl is the main driver of Japan's Gross National Cool, and Brian Ashcraft's book is the best source for those hoping to understand why." —Chris Baker, WIRED MagazineJapanese Schoolgirl Confidential takes you beyond the realm of everyday girls to the world of the iconic Japanese schoolgirl craze that is sweeping the globe.For years, Japanese schoolgirls have appeared in hugely-popular anime and manga series such as Dragon Ba...

An American sake expert takes you to a whole new level of insider knowledge and expertise.With today's sake drinkers increasingly informed and adventurous, now is the time for a truly expert guide to take you deeper into appreciation of this complex but delightful Japanese beverage, brewed from rice and enjoyed both warm or chilled. And what better mentor than John Gauntner, the "Sake Guy" and the world's leading non-Japanese sake educator and evangelist?He...

Want to impress your friends? Serve up some outstanding wine with dinner--and then tell them it's homemade!In Making Homemade Wine, author Robert Cluett takes the mystery out of winemaking. Using his simple nine-step process, you'll learn how to make superb-tasting wines right in your own home. Whether you want to make a common or unusual wine--from everything from grapes to elderberries to parsnips--you'll find the recipes and know-how here. There's even a universal wine ...

Here's a fun guide to discover the nuances of artisan beers from lagers and ales to porters and stouts. Tasting profiles from the booklet get the ball rolling—they break down beer into style categories and include information on each variety's background, flavors, aromas, and unique character.

A Japanese-inspired guide to living a happier, more fulfilled life.Japonisme explores the Japanese art of finding contentment and includes practical tips and tricks to live a happier, healthier, more thoughtful life.What is your ikigai (purpose)? How do you practice mindfulness in the unpredictability and chaos of everyday life? From shinrinyoku (forest bathing), calligraphy, ikebana (flower arranging) to tea ceremonies and their approach to food, the Japanese have...

A behind-the-scenes guide to the craft brewing world—with advice from the best in the business at Summit, Dogfish Head, Three Floyds, and more!Learn the finer points of craft brewing beer, ciders, and meads with eighteen world-class brewers, including Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), and Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada)—as well as top brewers from Belgium, England, Scotland, France, Canada, and Germany—as they share their expertise in vivid,...

This completely updated second edition of the bestselling beer resource features the most current information on beer styles, flavor profiles, sensory evaluation guidelines, craft beer trends, food and beer pairings, and draft beer systems.You’ll learn to identify the scents, colors, flavors, mouth-feel, and vocabulary of the major beer styles—including ales, lagers, weissbeirs, and Belgian beers—and develop a more nuanced understanding of your favorite brews with ...

There are few greater pleasures in life than enjoying a wonderful glass of wine. So why does finding and choosing one you like seem so stressful?Now, becoming a happier, more confident wine drinker is easy. The first step is to forget all the useless, needlessly complicated stuff the “experts” have been telling you. In The New Wine Rules, acclaimed wine writer Jon Bonné explains everything you need to know in simple, beautifully illustrated, easy-to-digest tidbits. And the...