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Jiro Dreams of Sushi

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Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Jiro Dreams of Sushi has been discussed during our class. Jiro is an 85 year old perfectionist who struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. My interpretation of things. A key scene for me was Jiro re-aligning by millimeters that arrangement of bowls, plates, and hashi (chopsticks). Can you imagine working for a man with this sort of detailed perfectionism? One one hand, the man has obviously mastered a craft and perfected it, however, on the other hand, what about his son? 58 year old man who is still an apprentice? I feel there is a time to surrender and let others shine. I have had many friend's eat at his other son's restaurant and they raved!
http://www.thepoetsgarret.com/Challenge/choka.html

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Message from gsharpe

How/would you use this in your class?

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Message from tlentz

Good point gsharpe! I just finished re-reading the seminar requirements and realized I didn't address that point. If I were to use this, I might use short clips showing the detail and beauty of the sushi. Critique sushi like art? I'm going to try out another film because I'd like to find something to compliment my lesson on haikus.

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Message from gsharpe

That's a great idea. I asked because I'm trying to figure out how I can also use it in my history classes. Perhaps students could analyze the art of sushi and discuss the nature of cooking as an art.

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Message from tlentz

gsharpe.. It would also be an interesting link between introducing food/art into the values of the culture?

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Message from kquezada

I absolutely love this documentary! I think tlentz's idea of connecting food/ art into values of the culture is brilliant. I was told woodworking is also approached as an art in Japan. Are there any other skills/ values that the Japanese approach as an art?

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Message from tlentz

Thanks kquesada. I know that flower design is def approached as an art and setting the table.

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Message from dcoronel

These are very good ideas. I have been wanting to watch this film for a while. Thank you for the idea of incorporating food with culture and actually recommending it as an assignment.

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Message from tlentz

No prob, dcornel. You could also do a compare and contrast with another foreign documentary/?

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Message from rdomingo

I love this movie....pay attention to the subtitles...there is life lessons to be learned from them...when the apprentice has to do 200 tamago (egg) sushi and finally gets its right on the 201.. he says he wanted to cry and scream with delight...our students should be asked how far they would go to get it right...then when jiro says simplicity is purity...as for their thoughts...then the kicker is when jiro's oldest son shares that Japanese culture is oldest takes over what dad does..ask your students how many would do that Pat on the head