2008

As we approach the final hours of this year, I find myself reflecting on the past twelve months. I wonder, how has it been for all of you? Personally, it’s been an incredibly fulfilling year for me.

The highlight, without a doubt, was stepping into the kitchen with my trusty knife and diving headfirst into the world of seafood. This journey led me to contemplate the sharpness, angles, strength, and durability of my knife, expanding the horizons of my culinary concepts. I owe much of this adventure to the encouragement of Ueda Shihan, who said, ‘This side of the world is fascinating too!’ And, of course, it’s thanks to the comments and emails from all of you who follow this blog.

While I may not possess the skills to craft knives from scratch like Mr. Doi, through cooking, I’ve experienced a similar sensation. It’s the satisfaction and challenge of creating something from nothing. Even when you use the same type of fish, the same knife, and follow the same steps, the final appearance, flavoring, cooking, and seasoning can turn out entirely different. It’s a lesson that blacksmiths also understand well; the same steel can yield vastly different results based on how it’s hammered and heated.

I’ve come to realize that it takes knowledge (knowing various things) and experience (trying and sometimes failing) along with a burning desire to put it all into practice to create something great. Whether it’s the aspiration to make outstanding knives or to craft delicious dishes, it’s all about buying and selling skills.

When you ‘buy a knife,’ in a way, you’re ‘buying the skill to make a knife.’ You pay a premium for knives created with exceptional skills and experience. Similarly, when you dine out, you’re essentially savoring not just the seasonal ingredients but also the knowledge and experience applied to cooking them in the most optimal way, sometimes with a dash of experimentation.

I hope this conveys the sentiment, even though it’s a bit challenging to put into words. I may be sharing some complex thoughts as the year comes to a close, but it’s been a year filled with these realizations.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for this past year. As we move into the next, I look forward to embracing new challenges and adventures. Wishing you all a fantastic year ahead.

Tatsuya

hibishugyo

• 2008-12-31