One night, Brooklyn-based artist and food writer Hannah Kirshner received a life-changing invitation to apprentice with a "saké evangelist" in Yamanaka, a Japanese mountain village preserving traditional ways amidst rapid modernization. This region has become a haven for chefs and artisans eager to explore the cultural traditions of Japan. Kirshner donned a vest and tie to work behind the saké bar, where she encountered a community of dedicated craftspeople, including master woodturners, hunters, a paper artist, and a charcoal maker from a nearly abandoned village. Each artisan demonstrated remarkable commitment to their craft, contributing to the local culture's richness. Inspired by their expertise, Kirshner immersed herself in their lives and work. Through her journey, she takes readers into lush forests, terraced rice fields, and smoke-filled workshops, illuminating the centuries-old traditions thriving in Yamanaka. The narrative invites readers to appreciate the artistry behind a fine bowl, a cup of tea, or a rice harvest while introducing the masters devoted to these crafts. Combining travelogue and meditation on work's significance, Kirshner's beautifully illustrated book serves as an ode to the place and its people, exploring the essence of sustaining traditions and finding purpose in cultivation and craft.
