Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami with Narutotai Saké

This week’s pairing features the manga, Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami. Prep some Kleenex, and get yourself a saké glass.

Translated from the Japanese bestselling manga, the story of Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami (a manga published by NBM Publishing (November 2011)) centers on Oto-san, a man who finds himself abandoned by his family and friends with nothing in his life happening the way he had planned. He embarks on a road trip to escape it all, and he soon discovers the only one he can count on completely is his faithful, recently adopted dog, who helps him see the light at the end of the tunnel. Illustrating the valuable lessons of friendship and loyalty, this is a heartwarming tale of two endearing characters and their shared adventure into the unknown. Full video review and pairing here:

Stargazing Dog is one of the biggest tearjerkers this gal has ever read. Yes, even more so than Of Mice and Men. This book not only needs to be paired with a cocktail but also a box of tissues. I also advise having someone responsible for not allowing you to visit the animal shelter immediately after finishing this book and adopt a dog (after hugging it and crying while you’re there).

For those unfamiliar with the term, manga are comics created in Japan, or by Japanese creators in the Japanese language, conforming to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. Manga stories are typically printed in black-and-white, although some full-color manga exist.

Stargazing Dog is told from the perspective not of Oto-san, but of his puppy Happaei. See…you’re tearing up already aren’t you? Well, I don’t blame you. You’ll get through the manga quickly at 125 pages, and I encourage you to read the Afterword as well. Because you’re already crying at that point, so might as well put a cherry on the top of that sundae. The author, Murakami, explains the statement he wanted to make about the corners modern-day society pushes people into and doesn’t allow them to escape. The part about the dog, however, he explains:

“I tailor-designed a lovely road trip on the coastline and a wonderful partner to go along with it. Without calculation or ulterior motive, the dog loves him with such pure earnestness it puts us humans to shame. I cannot tell you how much I myself was also saved by my own dog.”

Stargazing Dog is magical. It is not sad for sad’s sake. It is heartwarming and is one of those rare gems to make you step back and appreciate all creatures in your life. Just be careful not to freak too many people out when you start hugging strangers on the sidewalk.

The booze:

Narutotai Saké, Ginjo Nama Genshu

Nama means unpasteurized, Genshu means undiluted, and yes, it does look like an oil can.

This is a textured saké with refreshing, fruit-driven aromas. Tropical citrus on the nose. Dry with rich, velvety texture, high acidity, and hint of chocolate & cocoa flavors. Sake that are not Nama typically get pasteurized twice (once upon bottling and once again before shipping). The high heat of the water that the bottles are submerged in, act to denature the yeast, thus halting the fermentation process. Sakes that have not been pasteurized are still “alive” and must always stay refrigerated to keep their taste in tact. (So drink chilled please!) There has been a real growth in the market for nama recently, because the flavor is so boisterous, it makes it a natural pairing for bigger bodied meals.

This brewery is also known for doing something pretty darn cool. After milling or polishing the rice down to the desired size, they hand pick only the best rice grains to make their sake with. By removing the imperfect pieces they ensure that only the finest grains of rice are used to make their sake. “Quality control” is an understatement here folks.

Founded in 1804 (the first year of the Bunka period in the Edo era), they are the longest-established sake brewery still in business in Tokushima Prefecture which is a large island at the southern base of Japan.