What is one thing that sums up the ideas of ethics, honesty, craft,
dedication, and what research truly means? After watching the movie, Jiro
Dreams of Sushi it is evident how hard-working, devoted, and honest Jiro Ono
is about his craft. Jiro Ono, the owner of a sushi restaurant with only 10 seats in a subway station, has devoted his life to making sushi. It is
easy to see just by watching the film why his sushi would be given the highest
rating of 3 stars for the Michelin Award. The film, though, is not just a portrayal of Jiro making sushi, but goes in depth into his craft, ethics, and the research he does to ensure that his sushi is the best there is.
One thing that stands out throughout the documentary is Jiro’s work
ethics. He has made it his goal in life and mission, for the past 75 years he has been working, to create the best sushi there is. The thing that stood out to me about his work ethic was how much he applies research to what he does. Jiro and his son will go to the fish market and only buy the best fish and seafood.
The vendors that he buys from are specialties of certain fish, and Jiro
knows which ones he can trust. His research into the making of his sushi made me think that, no matter what field someone is in, research can and should be applied to ensure the best quality of work and product.
dedication, and what research truly means? After watching the movie, Jiro
Dreams of Sushi it is evident how hard-working, devoted, and honest Jiro Ono
is about his craft. Jiro Ono, the owner of a sushi restaurant with only 10 seats in a subway station, has devoted his life to making sushi. It is
easy to see just by watching the film why his sushi would be given the highest
rating of 3 stars for the Michelin Award. The film, though, is not just a portrayal of Jiro making sushi, but goes in depth into his craft, ethics, and the research he does to ensure that his sushi is the best there is.
One thing that stands out throughout the documentary is Jiro’s work
ethics. He has made it his goal in life and mission, for the past 75 years he has been working, to create the best sushi there is. The thing that stood out to me about his work ethic was how much he applies research to what he does. Jiro and his son will go to the fish market and only buy the best fish and seafood.
The vendors that he buys from are specialties of certain fish, and Jiro
knows which ones he can trust. His research into the making of his sushi made me think that, no matter what field someone is in, research can and should be applied to ensure the best quality of work and product.
Jiro proves that the people who want to stand out, be seen as the hardest workers, and also the best at what they do are the ones who put in the time and
research. If Jiro did not put in the time and effort to research the fish he uses, then he would not be able to satisfy his customers or be rewarded with the success he has today. It is shown that even his vendors do their research.
One vendor is shown at a tuna auction and discusses the importance of
buying the best tasting tuna based solely on the texture. This further proves how much Jiro’s craft relies on others to do their research, so he can trust them to come through with the best tasting fish.
There is also another theme that comes out in the movie, which is
honesty. Jiro is so honest about his work and his craft. His eldest
son, Yoshikazu, says that it can be hard working for his father because his
father strives for perfection. This honesty gives the listeners a truer sense of Jiro and his personality. I think though that it is Jiro’s honesty that allows for him to be believable. He does not come off as fake, but as a hard-working man who still works to this day to perfect his craft. He will only serve the best product, proving that he is honest and ethical. He even honestly tells us
that it was his eldest son, Yoshikazu, who was the one who prepared the sushi
the day that Jiro was awarded the Michelin Award with 3 stars.
Jiro also is honest about what it takes to be a master of his craft. He teaches his apprentices for free for 10 years, which is the necessary amount in order to be considered a first rate chef. If Jiro left out these details, the people viewing this documentary may only see him as another sushi chef with nothing that sets him apart. He even mentions how even though he is given all the credit, it is his
staff who have the hardest job preparing everything for him to simply make the
sushi. Jiro’s honesty speaks volumes to who he is as a person, and I think that this is why he is seen as more than just an inspiration for those making sushi, but to everyone who wants to be seen as an honest human being. Colin Covert of the Star Tribune sums up Jiro perfectly in his review saying: “By the time this graceful film is over you understand why Japan has declared the bald, bespectacled Jiro a national treasure. Even if you've never tasted sushi, the man's singleness of purpose will inspire you.” It is true. The man is an inspiration not only for his sushi, but for what he stands for and what he wants to achieve in his lifetime.
The other detail that sets Jiro apart is his dedication. Jiro has dedicated himself since a very young age to putting in effort each day and working to perfect his craft. As Mary Pols from TIME entertainment magazine writes in her review, “Jiro’s level of devotion to what he does is almost religious.” This is so true because as I watched I couldn't believe the extensive labor and dedication that went in to preparing the sushi daily from start to finish. It is a true testament to the idea that success comes from the hard work, dedication, and practice that is put into a certain craft or profession. Jiro also expects a lot out of his apprentices and staff. One of Jiro’s apprentices tried 200 times before his egg sushi was approved. This further shows how dedicated Jiro is in making sure his apprentices are creating the best possible product, but also how dedicated his apprentices are to be the best they can be in order to live up to Jiro’s expectations.
research. If Jiro did not put in the time and effort to research the fish he uses, then he would not be able to satisfy his customers or be rewarded with the success he has today. It is shown that even his vendors do their research.
One vendor is shown at a tuna auction and discusses the importance of
buying the best tasting tuna based solely on the texture. This further proves how much Jiro’s craft relies on others to do their research, so he can trust them to come through with the best tasting fish.
There is also another theme that comes out in the movie, which is
honesty. Jiro is so honest about his work and his craft. His eldest
son, Yoshikazu, says that it can be hard working for his father because his
father strives for perfection. This honesty gives the listeners a truer sense of Jiro and his personality. I think though that it is Jiro’s honesty that allows for him to be believable. He does not come off as fake, but as a hard-working man who still works to this day to perfect his craft. He will only serve the best product, proving that he is honest and ethical. He even honestly tells us
that it was his eldest son, Yoshikazu, who was the one who prepared the sushi
the day that Jiro was awarded the Michelin Award with 3 stars.
Jiro also is honest about what it takes to be a master of his craft. He teaches his apprentices for free for 10 years, which is the necessary amount in order to be considered a first rate chef. If Jiro left out these details, the people viewing this documentary may only see him as another sushi chef with nothing that sets him apart. He even mentions how even though he is given all the credit, it is his
staff who have the hardest job preparing everything for him to simply make the
sushi. Jiro’s honesty speaks volumes to who he is as a person, and I think that this is why he is seen as more than just an inspiration for those making sushi, but to everyone who wants to be seen as an honest human being. Colin Covert of the Star Tribune sums up Jiro perfectly in his review saying: “By the time this graceful film is over you understand why Japan has declared the bald, bespectacled Jiro a national treasure. Even if you've never tasted sushi, the man's singleness of purpose will inspire you.” It is true. The man is an inspiration not only for his sushi, but for what he stands for and what he wants to achieve in his lifetime.
The other detail that sets Jiro apart is his dedication. Jiro has dedicated himself since a very young age to putting in effort each day and working to perfect his craft. As Mary Pols from TIME entertainment magazine writes in her review, “Jiro’s level of devotion to what he does is almost religious.” This is so true because as I watched I couldn't believe the extensive labor and dedication that went in to preparing the sushi daily from start to finish. It is a true testament to the idea that success comes from the hard work, dedication, and practice that is put into a certain craft or profession. Jiro also expects a lot out of his apprentices and staff. One of Jiro’s apprentices tried 200 times before his egg sushi was approved. This further shows how dedicated Jiro is in making sure his apprentices are creating the best possible product, but also how dedicated his apprentices are to be the best they can be in order to live up to Jiro’s expectations.
The work ethics, honesty, and research that Jiro puts into his
craft prove that through hard work and dedication it is possible to achieve
success. Jiro is passionate about what he does, which is an inspiration to all who watch. I hope that one day I am still as passionate about my profession as he is at 85 years old. Mary Pols states about the movie that: “It’s beautifully photographed and explained at every stage from market to table, a foodie’s dream night at the movies. The gentle shaping of the fish and sushi could lull you into a trance. A hungry trance.” It was beautiful to watch Jiro create the sushi because it seemed so effortless, but behind all of that is a lot of dedication and hard work. I am not a fan of sushi at all, but what I took away from this movie and watching Jiro and his staff work was that dedication, hard work, and passion for what you do can effect and inspire others. It was these ideas that were what kept me in a true trance.
craft prove that through hard work and dedication it is possible to achieve
success. Jiro is passionate about what he does, which is an inspiration to all who watch. I hope that one day I am still as passionate about my profession as he is at 85 years old. Mary Pols states about the movie that: “It’s beautifully photographed and explained at every stage from market to table, a foodie’s dream night at the movies. The gentle shaping of the fish and sushi could lull you into a trance. A hungry trance.” It was beautiful to watch Jiro create the sushi because it seemed so effortless, but behind all of that is a lot of dedication and hard work. I am not a fan of sushi at all, but what I took away from this movie and watching Jiro and his staff work was that dedication, hard work, and passion for what you do can effect and inspire others. It was these ideas that were what kept me in a true trance.
Works Cited
Covert, Colin. “Perfection is life’s goal in “Jiro Dream of
Sushi.” Star Tribune Movies. Star Tribune, 19 April 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Dir. David Gelb. Magnolia Pictures, 2012. Film.
Pols, Mary. “A Pair of Fish Tales: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Jiro
Dream of Sushi.” Time Entertainment. Time Magazine. 9 March 2012.
Web.8 Feb. 2014.
Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster Inc., 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.
Covert, Colin. “Perfection is life’s goal in “Jiro Dream of
Sushi.” Star Tribune Movies. Star Tribune, 19 April 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Dir. David Gelb. Magnolia Pictures, 2012. Film.
Pols, Mary. “A Pair of Fish Tales: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Jiro
Dream of Sushi.” Time Entertainment. Time Magazine. 9 March 2012.
Web.8 Feb. 2014.
Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster Inc., 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.