Maker, user
Today in Sakai, it was extremely hot, with ‘heatwave’ warnings on the weather forecast… Even sprinkling water in front of the shop only made the humidity worse. During the Obon holidays, I had plenty to write about on the blog, like the conversations I had with Chef ‘H’ who just returned from an overseas trip, and the knives I sharpened during the break. But today, I want to share the most standout event!
I once visited Doi-san’s workshop with Ueda Shihan. During that visit, Doi-san mentioned, ‘I would love to visit Ueda-san’s restaurant someday!’ So, during the Obon holidays, I went to ‘Uedaya’ with Doi Ituo-san.
Ueda-san had seen how knives are made firsthand during the factory tour. Doi-san, on the other hand, saw his knives being used in action! The meeting of the maker and the user was a truly historic moment! As far as I know, it’s quite rare for a blacksmith to have a conversation with a chef, even though sharpeners often talk with them. Doi-san took this chance to ask Ueda-san various questions and get his feedback on using the knives.
The main theme was whether chefs could truly feel Doi-san’s dedication to making knives specifically for them. When Ueda-san heard about Doi-san’s thoughts, he seemed deeply moved. It was as if you could hear his inner voice saying, ‘I never knew a blacksmith would think so much about chefs!’
Without knife craftsmen, chefs would be without their essential tools and unable to perform at their best. Conversely, without chefs, there would be no purpose for knife craftsmen to create knives. No matter how skilled, they rely on each other.
As we enjoyed Ueda-san’s delicious dishes, the passionate conversation between the craftsman (blacksmith) and the chef continued. It felt like a meeting where each could appreciate the other’s skills, experiences, and care. This mutual respect naturally leads to overall improvement.
It was a delightful gathering, and I felt that everything would naturally improve if they continued to appreciate each other’s craftsmanship.
- 2010-08-19
