What the ultimate can, embodying Japanese hospitality, tells us.
When traveling in Japan, many people are touched by the thoughtfulness at their accommodations and the meticulous service of shop staff.
However, as one delves deeper into Japanese food culture, another aspect of "omotenashi" (hospitality) emerges. It's about the passion and time dedicated to "preparation in the kitchen" during the hours when guests are not present.
What we at "Wa no Shoku" offer to customers worldwide at our main store in Osaka's Kizu Market is not merely high-end ingredients.
It is the pure essence of "Japanese omotenashi," meticulously crafted by artisans over many hours, even tens of hours.
1. Hands that speak: kindness beyond efficiency
When it comes to "omotenashi," one of the products we are most proud of is our "Crab Shabu-Shabu" made with red snow crab from Kasumi, Hyogo Prefecture.
In this day and age, it's easy to efficiently extract crab meat using machines.
However, we deliberately choose the path where skilled artisans painstakingly remove the meat by hand, relying solely on the sense of their fingertips.
This is because machines can damage the delicate fibers of the crab, making it impossible to reproduce "that pleasant melt-in-your-mouth sensation" the moment it enters your mouth.
Extracting the small amount of meat from a 1kg crab without a single scratch. Such concentration and patience might seem clumsy and inefficient at first glance. However, this is precisely the essence of Japanese omotenashi.
"We want those who eat this crab to enjoy it in its best possible state, without getting their hands dirty."
It is this wish that drives us to continue this "inefficient handwork," producing an extremely limited number of 100 sets per year. To hold one of these cans means to take home the many hours of "consideration for you" that an artisan has invested.
2. The philosophy of dashi, supporting ingredients like a kurogo (stagehand)
Dashi (broth) is an indispensable element in Japanese cuisine, but we don't make dashi the star. We believe that true omotenashi is about setting the "stage" for the main ingredients (such as sea bream or wagyu beef) to shine brightest.
In our kitchen, we pursue a "clear umami" that doesn't overpower the natural flavors of the ingredients, yet possesses a solid foundation.
It's a gentle, embracing quality that never asserts itself, but brings a relaxed "Ah, delicious" moment with each spoonful. It is this foundation of transparent umami that allows the sweetness of crab and the aroma of sea bream to blossom vividly within a single can.
3. The ultimate sincerity, named "Safety"
"Omotenashi" is respect for others. And isn't the greatest respect in food "peace of mind"?
At our own workshop in Sakai, Osaka, we strictly adhere to HACCP, an international safety standard. This embodies the spirit of "makoto" (sincerity) that Japanese artisans have long cherished: "taking full responsibility for what we create."
Without relying on preservatives, and solely through our unique heat sterilization technology and exquisite seasoning, we maintain "a freshness as if just made" even months later on the dinner table.
Behind this technology lies a strong desire for customers far away: "We absolutely do not want to disappoint them even after they take it overseas."
4. Japanese spirituality, tucked into your suitcase
"Packing omotenashi into your bag and returning to your own country" is a profoundly meaningful experience, quite different from handing out sweets.
Wa no Shoku's packaging is designed with a dignified appearance, devoid of excessive decoration. This minimalist approach stems from our belief in the "authenticity" of what's inside.
The convenience of being able to carry it at room temperature is also a small consideration (omotenashi) from us, making the end of your journey a pleasant one.
Upon your return, when you place this can on your table, it's the moment when the warm hospitality you encountered in Japan crosses the ocean and melts into your daily life.
We want you to share the continuation of your journey in your own words.
Kizu Wholesale Market, where our main store is located, is bustling with activity from morning, and at first glance, it might seem far removed from the quiet image of "omotenashi."
However, within that hustle and bustle, each transaction and the gaze of the artisans are filled with the integrity of Japan, something to be proud of worldwide.
"Wa no Shoku" aims for more than just selling products. We want you, who visit our store, to learn about the artisans' dedication, be convinced, and take a can with a smile. And for that smile to spread to your family and friends at dinner tables across the ocean.
A fragment of memory, named "Japanese omotenashi." You gently tuck it into a corner of your bag and return to your country.
If the can we crafted can enrich your daily life a little and serve as an opportunity to connect with your loved ones, that would be the happiest moment for us as artisans and as Japanese people.