Introduction of The Art of Sushi

Irasshai, irasshaimase… Welcome! This spirited and warm greeting is what you first hear when arriving at the sushi shop and is indeed the itamae-san, the sushi chef, welcoming you.
Itamae means ’in front of chopping board’ and implies that the chef is indeed that person who is always at the board ready for action!
There are more sushi bars in Japan than any other type of restaurant and the proliferation of Japanese sushi bars in cities all over the world has led to an enormous interest in this delightfully appetizing food.
The basic elements of Japanese cuisine are always constant: a Japanese meal is traditionally restrained in quantity excellent in quality and elegant in presentation.
The Japanese style of eating is dependent on the freshest ingredients in season and emphasizes natural flavors and minimal animal fats. The emphasis on fresh food is part of the deep respect for nature that is so important in Japanese culture. It is believed the products of the earth and sea should be prepared in ways that preserve their natural forms and flavors as much as possible so as to show off their own special character. Often food is simply presented but always a delight to the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Sushi, more than any other dish, is the consummate example, as it is a presentation of food that is natural, harmonious, aesthetically pleasing. With the Japanese sense for artistic presentation, never before has so little been made to look like so much.
According to my opinion: ‘a food should be prepared so as to do honor to the essence of the ingredients chosen.’
Simply put, sushi combines seasoned rice and a wide variety of seafood and vegetables.
Making sushi is so complicated that it takes years for the professional chef to master, but don’t let this put you off. It is also easy enough to be done at home and a complete beginner can master simple sushi making with great success. It doesn’t matter if first attempts aren’t perfect, making sushi is fun, and even less artistic efforts will taste delicious.
We know sushi is delicious, colorful and an art form. We also know it is very nutritious and comes in many forms. But what are its origins, who invented it, how to eat it and how to make it are common questions and I aim at answering these and more, and offer a comprehensive guide to the art of creating sushi at your home.