<p>Frank and <a href="https://history.ku.edu/people/eric-c-rath" title="Eric C Rath, Professor at University of Kansas">Eric C Rath, Professor at University of Kansas</a> and author of <a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/author/R/E/au25036894.html" title="">multiple books on Japanese food culture</a>, dive deep into his new book, <em><a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/K/bo258381634.html" title="">Kanpai: The History of Sake.</a> </em>We talk about samurai drinking games, the origins of sake as a beverage, sake&#8217;s effects on the Japanese economy, and many other topics.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="773" height="1024" src="https://sakeonair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/81X38UuEORL._SL1500_-773x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71134" style="aspect-ratio:0.7549019607843137;width:169px;height:auto" srcset="https://sakeonair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/81X38UuEORL._SL1500_-773x1024.jpg 773w, https://sakeonair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/81X38UuEORL._SL1500_-226x300.jpg 226w, https://sakeonair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/81X38UuEORL._SL1500_-768x1018.jpg 768w, https://sakeonair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/81X38UuEORL._SL1500_.jpg 1132w" sizes="(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px" /></figure> </div> <p>We’d love to hear what you thought about the episode! Let us know at [email protected] or send us a message on our&#160;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sakeonair/?hl=en">Instagram</a>,&#160;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sakeonair/">Facebook,</a>&#160;or&#160;<a href="https://sakeonair.substack.com/">Substack</a>!</p> <p>We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.</p> <p>Until then, <em>kampai</em>!</p> <p>Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the <a href="http://www.japansake.or.jp/sake/english/about.html">Japan Sake &#38; Shochu Makers Association</a> and is broadcast from the <a href="http://www.japansake.or.jp/sake/english/">Japan Sake &#38; Shochu Information Center in Tokyo</a>. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by<a href="https://www.forsomethingnewmusic.com/">forSomethingNew</a> for Sake On Air.&#160;</p>