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Kanpai

Kanpai The History of Sake

Hardback (01 Oct 2025)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Sake, Japan's iconic rice-based alcoholic drink, has been central to Japanese culture for over 1,300 years. Traditionally made with rice, water and koji mould, it was consumed in early brewpubs and was vital to samurai rituals and festivals. Sake's story includes homebrewers like clan matriarchs, ancient princes and modern political activists who defied laws to keep homebrewing alive. Temples refined sake-making techniques, laying the foundation for a thriving industry that became a major economic force for shoguns and the modern state. Kanpai is the first history of sake in English, exploring its evolution from homebrew to flavoured varieties, its cultural significance and global rise, including its growing popularity and production in North America and Europe. The book also shows how sake has shaped Japanese food, society and traditions.

About the Publisher

Reaktion Books

Reaktion originally focused on the fields of art, architecture and design - its first book was Ian Hamilton Finlay: A Visual Primer by Yves Abrioux. In recent years Reaktion's list has broadened substantially, and now also encompasses animal studies, Asian art and culture, biography, cultural studies, current events, fashion, film, food history, geography, general history, music, philosophy, photography, politics, sports history and travel writing. Reaktion now produces around 80 new titles each year, and has about 600 titles in print.

Book information

ISBN: 9781836391159
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Pub date:
Language: English
Number of pages: 352
Weight: -1g
Height: 208mm
Width: 156mm