This cocktail isnt the least bit japanese two of the three ingredients are french Sadly, we cant go back to 1887 to ask jerry thomas what the story was behind the drink when he was writing his seminal bar-tenders guide. Given the date, we might assume it had something to do with the opening of japan to outsiders several years prior an exotic, inspiring event to those in the west. Try it with your fancy special bitters we especially like it with chocolate bitters.