Sushi as a Reflection of Japanese Society?

We have all probably eaten or seen the symbolic dish known as “sushi”. It tastes, looks and feels Japanese. But I have chosen it not for any of those reasons, I believe it embodies the image of Japanese values and culture.

On the surface, the sushi became well known due to globalization and the taste that fits the palates of most people. Almost all countries have what is commonly known as sushi trains and it became one of the first things people think of when Japan comes to mind. But I believe that there is a hidden side to sushi beyond what we experience on the dining table.

Nigiri sushi （握り寿司） consists of a layer of rice at the bottom with a raw piece of fish on top. The common use of seafood as the main protein in the dish represents the geography of Japan being a coastal country while the rice represents the main carbohydrates （主食） in Japanese diet. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to argue that the sushi is a representation of a Japanese person’s diet.

However, why bother structuring the components into a sushi instead of rice with fish on top (known as the sashimi don)? For rice to hold itself in a sushi, rice must be sufficiently moist and sticky. From adjusting the water and vinegar ratio for the rice to the chef’s ability to manipulate the shape; this neat composition is only achievable through meticulous craftsmanship in the kitchen where sushi chefs are trained for at times decades before they become masters.

Advancements in many fields such as robotics and infrastructure in Japan, we can see the significance of perfectionism in every facet of life for them that allows them to strive. The visual aesthetics in food is an art deriving from this desire which has become a symbol of Japan reproduced throughout the world in many restaurants.