[Why is sushi so adorable?] - The story of tiny sea jewels

"Why is sushi so adorable?" - The story of these tiny sea gems

Hello everyone! Today, I'd like to talk about sushi, a Japanese superstar loved all over the world. That's because that tiny piece of sushi is packed with more than just fish and rice. It's packed with history, the soul of the craftsman, and even a little bit of romance.

The origin of sushi was... "fermentation"!?

Nowadays, the image of sushi is, "Put the toppings on the rice and enjoy!", but sushi in the past was a little different.
Its origins date back to the Nara period, when it originated as "narezushi," a dish that was introduced from Southeast Asia and was made by fermenting fish with salt and rice to preserve it, almost like pickles.

Just imagine for a moment.
If someone said to me, "Tonight's dinner is fermented fish that's been left to sit for six months♡"...well, it might take a bit of courage for a modern kid.

The Edokko's speedy revolution! The birth of "nigiri sushi"

Fast forward to the Edo period, and nigiri sushi, quickly made available at food stalls, appeared to satisfy the appetites of busy townspeople.
This is the origin of modern sushi! Fresh fish is placed on rice and a drizzle of wasabi is added. And there you have it!

Edoites were very stylish. Their spirit of "Waiting is rude, eat delicious food right away!" may have been passed down to today's conveyor belt sushi culture.

Why is sushi so cute?

It must be the balance of size and color.
・The plump orange of salmon ・The sparkling silver of sardines ・The yellow smile of a fluffy egg

It's like a treasure chest of the sea. Each piece has its own unique character, like a little character.
The time spent worrying about which sushi girl to take home today is also a blissful experience.

I think sushi is a philosophy

The craftsman's hand-forming of each sushi involves temperature, pressure, breathing, and "interval."
It's like writing just one line of poetry.
The Japanese aesthetic sense that "beauty resides in white space" is condensed into that small piece.

Final words

Sushi is not just food.
It is a small art that has traveled through history,
It is a "delicious bridge" that connects people.

Next time you eat sushi, try closing your eyes for a moment.
You may be able to hear the voice of the ocean from long ago from deep within the rice paddies.