On September 23rd, the Hokubei Hochi Foundation and The Japan Foundation presented the “History and Culture of Edomae Sushi – From Tokyo to Seattle,” to a sell-out crowd.

This special event featured a film screening of the acclaimed documentary ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ (81 minutes) followed by a live sushi demonstration and sampling by local sushi master Shiro Kashiba of Shiro’s Sushi Restaurant and his apprentice who stars in the movie, Daisuke Nakazawa, and accomplished chefs from Kisaku Restaurant in Wallingford, I Love Sushi Bellevue Main, and Sushi Ran in San Francisco.

Directed by David Gelb, ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ tells the story of Jiro Ono, who has spent much of his 85 years in perfecting the tradition of Edomae Sushi at his small 10-seat restaurant that lies under a Tokyo train station. His achieved style of preparation and service has awarded him a three-star Michelin Guide rating, being the first sushi restaurant to receive this honor.

Jiro’s apprentice in the movie, Daisuke Nakazawa, recently moved to Seattle to train under local sushi chef Shiro Kashiba of Shiro’s Sushi.  Also a master of Edomae Sushi, Shiro continues to find the freshest of local ingredients around the Northwest to prepare for guests to his restaurant.

Co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation, this event was the first in a two-event series featuring our local “shokunins” (artists), to elevate understanding of Edomae Sushi and feature Seattle as its focal point in the U.S., particularly with its proximity to Japan.

Attached are photos in a slide show of the event.  Slideshow of 09.23.12 event

Please watch for video on www.ibukimagazine.com, and look for a video on YouTube under Hokubei Hochi Foundation soon.  Thank you to SVNetworks/Ibuki Magazine and Seattle Channel for filming the event.