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Plus, whisky authority Yuji Kawasaki shares tasting notes for more than a hundred bottles.\" —Travel + Leisure  Japanese 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 master distillers? This whisky book divulges these secrets for the first time.   Japanese Whisky features never-before-published archival images and interviews chronicling the forgotten stories of Japan's pioneering whisky makers. It reveals the unique materials and methods used by the Japanese distillers including mizunara wood, Japanese barley, and novel production methods unique to Japan. It also examines the close cultural connections between Japanese scotch and whisky drinkers and their favorite tipples.   For the first time in English, this book presents over a hundred independently scored tastings from leading Japanese whisky blogger, Yuji Kawasaki, shedding new light on Japan's most famous single malts as well as grain whiskies and blends. Japan expert Brian Ashcraft and photographer Idzuhiko Ueda crisscrossed Japan visiting all the major makers to talk about past and present whisky distillers, blenders and coopers.   Japanophiles, whisky lovers, travelers, and history buffs will all find something fascinating within these pages, including:   Tasting notes and scores of every major Japanese whisky brand A complete account of the unique production methods and ingredients Information about visiting distilleries in Japan Hundreds of color photos documenting the history and modern practices of Japanese whisky Exclusive interviews and previously unpublished personal accounts from leading industry figures  Japanese Whisky not only explains how the country's award-winning whiskies are made, but also the complete whisky history and culture, so readers can truly appreciate the subtle Japanese whiskies they're drinking and buying. Kanpai!","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49659740619025,"sku":"GOR011390162","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49755053293841,"sku":"NGR9784805314098","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50939049705745,"sku":"GOR014134825","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51062219407633,"sku":"NIN9784805314098","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51329781956881,"sku":"CIN4805314095G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51418086342929,"sku":"CIN4805314095VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53121368490257,"sku":"GOR010395635","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/4805314095.jpg?v=1751445476"},{"product_id":"japanese-tattoos-book-brian-ashcraft-9784805313510","title":"Japanese Tattoos","description":"Japanese Tattoos is an insider's look at the world of Japanese irezumi","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49739015520529,"sku":"NGR9784805313510","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49756731244817,"sku":"CIN480531351XG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49770396287249,"sku":"GOR007746791","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51063775691025,"sku":"NIN9784805313510","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51691024744721,"sku":"CIN480531351XVG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51865648103697,"sku":"GOR008718724","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":52627843744017,"sku":"CIN480531351XA","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/480531351X.jpg?v=1751446893"},{"product_id":"japanese-schoolgirl-confidential-how-teenage-girls-made-a-nation-cool-book-brian-ashcraft-9784770031150","title":"Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential: How Teenage Girls Made a Nation Cool","description":"From manga and anime to movies, magazines, video games, advertising and music, Japanese schoolgirls are everywhere. For years, schoolgirls have shown up in internationally popular anime such as\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eSailor Moon\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya\u003c\/em\u003e, and\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eBlood: The Last Vampire\u003c\/em\u003e. Films such as\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eBattle Royale\u003c\/em\u003e inspired Quentin Tarantino to include a fighting schoolgirl in\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eKill Bill\u003c\/em\u003e; and recently, Rinko Kikuchi received an Oscar nomination for her role as a schoolgirl in the film\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eBabel\u003c\/em\u003e. There are schoolgirl characters in video games such as\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eStreet Fighter\u003c\/em\u003e. And the Japanese Schoolgirl Watch column in Wired magazine has long kept an eye on the trends emerging among these stylish teens. 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By talking to Japanese women, including former and current J-pop idols, well-known actresses, models, writers, and artists -- along with film directors, historians and marketers -- the authors reveal the true story behind Japan's obsession with schoolgirls and answer such burning questions as: \u003cbr\u003eBL Where did the sailor-style uniform come from? \u003cbr\u003eBL How did the Japanese schoolgirl develop into a\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003ebrand\u003c\/em\u003e that can be used to sell anything from\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003ekimchi\u003c\/em\u003e to insurance? \u003cbr\u003eBL Why have Japanese schoolgirls become such a symbol of girl power?\u003cbr\u003eBL And, most importantly, why are they so very, very cool?","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49947865317649,"sku":"CIN4770031157VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50298719109393,"sku":"CIN4770031157G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":50404685119761,"sku":"CIN4770031157A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52719369584913,"sku":"GOR005742427","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/4770031157.jpg?v=1751416577"},{"product_id":"arcade-mania-the-turbo-charged-world-of-japan-s-game-centers-book-brian-ashcraft-9784770030788","title":"Arcade Mania: The Turbo-charged World of Japan's Game Centers","description":"Home of Sega, Nintendo, and Sony, Japan has a unique and powerful presence in the world of video games. Another thing that makes Japan unique in the gaming world is the prevalence of game arcades. While the game arcade scene has died in the U.S., there are 9,500 game centers in Japan with more than 445,000 game machines. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eArcade Mania\u003c\/em\u003e introduces overseas readers to the fascinating world of the Japanese\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003egemu senta\u003c\/em\u003e. Organized as a guided tour of a typical game center, the book is divided into nine chapters, each of which deals with a different kind of game, starting with the UFO catchers and print club machines at the entrance and continuing through rhythm games, fighting games, shooting games, retro games, gambling games, card-based games, and only-in-Japan games. \u003cbr\u003eCovering classic games from\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eSpace Invaders\u003c\/em\u003e to\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eStreet Fighter\u003c\/em\u003e, games that are familiar to Americans in their home console versions (\u003cem\u003eRock Band\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGuitar Hero\u003c\/em\u003e and\u0026gt;\u003cem\u003eDance, Dance Revolution\u003c\/em\u003e), as well as the unique, quirky games found only in Japan, \u003cem\u003eArcade Mania\u003c\/em\u003e is crammed full of interviews with game makers and star players, and packed with facts about the history, background and characteristics of each game, all lavishly illustrated with photographs and game graphics. 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For years, Japanese schoolgirls have appeared in hugely-popular anime and manga series such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Blood: The Last Vampire. These girls are literally showing up everywhere—in movies, magazines, video games, advertising, and music. WIRED Magazine has kept an eye on the trends emerging from these stylish teens, following kick-ass schoolgirl characters in videogames like Street Fighter and assassin schoolgirls in movies like Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.  By talking to Japanese women, including former and current J-Pop idols, well-known actresses, models, writers, and artists—along with famous Japanese film directors, historians and marketers—authors Brian Ashcraft and Shoko Ueda (who have both contributed to WIRED's \"Japanese Schoolgirl Watch\" columns) reveal the true story behind Japan's schoolgirl obsessions.  You'll learn the origins of the schoolgirls' unusual attire, and how they are becoming a global brand used to sell everything from kimchi to insurance. In Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential, you'll discover:   Sailor-suited pop-idols   Cult movie vixens   Schoolgirl shopping power   The latest uniform fashions   Japanese schoolgirls are a symbol of girl empowerment. Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential shows why they are so intensely cool. Don't miss this essential book on the Japanese youth culture craze that is driving today's pop culture worldwide.  \"Whether your preferred schoolgirl is more the upstanding heroine Sailor Moon or the vengeful, weapon-wielding Gogo Yubari of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Vol. 1, you'll come away well versed.\" —Publishers Weekly","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50763081449745,"sku":"CIN0804847398G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51007606489361,"sku":"NIN9780804847391","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52069198266641,"sku":"GOR010354235","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0804847398.jpg?v=1751011631"},{"product_id":"japanese-schoolgirl-confidential-book-brian-ashcraft-9784805312551","title":"Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential","description":"\"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 Magazine  Japanese 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 Ball, Sailor Moon, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Blood: The Last Vampire. These girls are literally showing up everywhere--in movies, magazines, video games, advertising, and music. WIRED Magazine has kept an eye on the trends emerging from these stylish teens, following kick-ass schoolgirl characters in videogames like Street Fighter and assassin schoolgirls in movies like Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.  By talking to Japanese women, including former and current J-Pop idols, well-known actresses, models, writers, and artists--along with famous Japanese film directors, historians and marketers--authors Brian Ashcraft and Shoko Ueda (who have both contributed to WIRED's \"Japanese Schoolgirl Watch\" columns) reveal the true story behind Japan's schoolgirl obsessions.  You'll learn the origins of the schoolgirls' unusual attire, and how they are becoming a global brand used to sell everything from kimchi to insurance. In Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential, you'll discover:   Sailor-suited pop-idols   Cult movie vixens   Schoolgirl shopping power   The latest uniform fashions   Japanese schoolgirls are a symbol of girl empowerment. Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential shows why they are so intensely cool. 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