{"id":742,"date":"2023-01-02T09:17:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T00:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/?p=742"},"modified":"2023-01-02T10:14:10","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T01:14:10","slug":"%e3%83%9e%e3%82%b0%e3%83%ad%e3%81%ae%e3%83%81%e3%82%ab%e3%83%a9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/en\/archives\/742","title":{"rendered":"Power of Tuna"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"padding:75% 0 0 0;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/785509087?h=c8384659ad&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;\" title=\"maguro_B.mp4\"><\/iframe><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/api\/player.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Famous track and field star Suguru Osako told us, \u201cI found someone interesting in Toyosu.\u201d So we paid a visit to the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adachi (A): Please tell me your name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yuki Kubono (K): My name is Kubono Yuki (from Yamayuki Group.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: How did you first meet Osako?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: In September 2019,&nbsp; Osako san came to visit Toyosu Fish Market. I was there as his guide and that\u2019s how we met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: What was your first impression of Osako?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I used to run track and field when I was in school, so I knew who he was. Osako san was a star runner, and so when he suddenly appeared in front of me, I got so excited and said, \u201cwow that\u2019s Osako san!\u201d I remember that moment very vividly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04276-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04276-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04276-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04276-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04276-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04285-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04285-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04285-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04285-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04285-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04333-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04333-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04333-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04333-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04333-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Can you tell us what you do at Toyosu Fish Market?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I work as a wholesaler of <em>maguro<\/em>, or bluefin tuna fish. Maguro caught around the world are gathered in Toyosu Fish Market. The fish are then auctioned off. Our job as a wholesaler of <em>maguro<\/em> is to carefully examine the quality and condition of each fish and get them at the lowest price possible for our customers at the auctions. It\u2019s not common for a restaurant to purchase an entire fish (as it\u2019s quite large) so we make recommendations and sell the appropriate parts and portions of the fish&nbsp; to our customers, such as sushi restaurants, and then we deliver the product to each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04290-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-724\" width=\"718\" height=\"1280\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A: What are some of the challenges that you face&nbsp; on a daily basis as a wholesaler?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: We handle top quality, wild <em>maguro<\/em> mainly. Since these are wild fish, the condition of the ocean plays a huge role. When the weather is bad, there\u2019s no fish coming our way. Also, in early spring through Summer, these tuna go through a season of breeding and laying eggs. The fish spend nearly all their&nbsp; energy spawning, which causes them to lose their body fat and become quite thin. Therefore, they lose the most attractive parts of the meat for consumption. However, <em>maguro<\/em> is always in high demand regardless of the season, especially in sushi restaurants. It\u2019s an extremely challenging mission for us to get the kind of quality <em>maguro<\/em> that meets the demands and expectations of our customers, and deliver the goods without fail.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is extremely important to deliver quality <em>maguro<\/em>. Understanding what good quality <em>maguro<\/em> means is also important. As an example, for sushi, the definition of \u201cquality <em>maguro<\/em>\u201d varies depending on the restaurant, by the sushi chef\u2019s preference. You must visit the sushi place to taste the rice they cook. You have to select the kind of <em>maguro<\/em> that goes with the rice of the specific restaurant. Knowing the preference of your customer is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04332-2-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04332-2-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04332-2-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04332-2-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04332-2-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04338-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-729\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04338-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04338-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04338-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04338-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A: That\u2019s an excellent point. Know your customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I\u2019d say that\u2019s the most difficult part. There are many cases where we thought it was good quality meat, but the customer thought otherwise. It\u2019s especially challenging for those restaurants with a short history of doing business with us, because we have to start everything without fully understanding their preferences. We try to ask many questions to our new customers through our conversations to know what they are looking for before delivering the <em>maguro<\/em> to them. Our customers have to verbalize the kind of <em>maguro<\/em> they have in mind and we have to interpret their ideas. Sometimes our interpretations can be wrong. Throughout the year as we continue to deliver <em>maguro<\/em> to our customers, we can feel from the reactions that we delivered something good or that the <em>maguro<\/em> didn\u2019t really meet the expectations. Every day we continue to accumulate our experience so that we can learn to be more accurate and precise in selecting the right <em>maguro<\/em> for our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: I see. I was just about to ask how do you overcome your challenges but it seems like you communicate with your customers and the fish while focusing on learning as much as you can about the consumers. You use your accumulated experience to better select the ideal <em>maguro<\/em> for each situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: Yes. We always need to understand deeply about the ingredient,&nbsp; <em>maguro<\/em>. We use the blanket term <em>maguro<\/em> but there are various characteristics and flavors. There are also various ways to catch them. The location&nbsp; where the fish grew up contributes a lot to the flavor. At the end of the day, what the <em>maguro<\/em> has been eating in the past has a lot to do with its flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Understanding <em>maguro<\/em> seems extremely interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: It totally is. For example, Oma is one of the most well known places for <em>maguro<\/em> in Japan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: It sounds familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<br>K: I believe a lot of people have heard of Oma before. At the beginning of each year, they conduct a first-of-the-year auction that is often broadcast on TV. Even in Oma, as an example, some are caught with the method called pole-and-line fishing using a fishing rod. Some are caught by longline fishing method using a long main line with baited hooks to catch multiple tuna at once, it\u2019s called <em>haenawa<\/em> in Japanese. There is a certain depth of the ocean where <em>maguro<\/em> can be caught, we call it <em>tana.<\/em> Depending on the fishing method, the targeting depth varies. Depending on the depth where the <em>maguro<\/em> have grown, they have been eating different kinds of small fish. There are fish that live in the shallow water and are different from the ones in the deep water. Therefore the <em>maguro<\/em> caught by a rod and the <em>maguro<\/em> caught by a longline method are quite different in taste.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: I tend to think that the fish caught in the deeper water are tastier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: Well, that\u2019s not always true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, the fish in the deep ocean are called deep-sea fish. They tend to be quite fatty but less fragrant and flavorful. I wouldn\u2019t say all of them are, as each fish is unique. But generally speaking, the fish caught by longline tend to be more fatty but less fragrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04376-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-731\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04376-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04376-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04376-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04376-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04278-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-730\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04278-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04278-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04278-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04278-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A: What are some of the things that you value as a professional <em>maguro<\/em> wholesaler?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I feel that it\u2019s important for me to eat <em>maguro<\/em> myself. We\u2019re dealing with the fish that is a food ingredient. If we want to call ourselves professionals, we need to eat and learn the flavor better than anyone else. Otherwise, we won\u2019t be able to tell our customers whether the <em>maguro<\/em> is delicious or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some say, \u201cI touch <em>maguro<\/em> all day every day at work so I don\u2019t want to eat it.\u201d I\u2019m the opposite. I want to eat and know more than anyone else so that I can convince my customer when I say the <em>maguro<\/em> is good. To be honest, I genuinely love eating <em>maguro<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: People with genuine passion are the strongest..&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I\u2019m in a work environment where I\u2019m allowed to eat as much <em>maguro<\/em> as I\u2019d like.. There\u2019s no other place that makes me happier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: It\u2019s so wonderful that you can be passionate about what you do and you can experience such joy through your work. Lastly, could you share what you are excited about or looking forward to regarding the Toyosu market, the wholesale business and yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04393-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04393-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04393-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04393-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04393-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>K: I was born as a Japanese person, so I want to live my life like one. I believe that is why I chose this job as a <em>maguro<\/em> wholesaler. On my deathbed, I want to feel privileged to have lived my life as a <em>maguro<\/em> wholesaler. I believe that <em>maguro<\/em>&nbsp; has the power to make people happy.&nbsp; Sushi in general has that kind of power. Culturally, sushi is something so close to us Japanese people. Even&nbsp; children can enjoy it while gathering with family for celebrations and special occasions. I believe a lot of us grew up that way in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: It\u2019s similar to how people enjoy birthday cakes on their birthdays. It\u2019s the type of food that brings joy to people. So for me, <em>maguro<\/em> served raw is the superstar of joyful food. If you ask people to color a picture of sushi, I\u2019m sure a lot of people will choose red to color the piece of fish on top of the rice, depicting it as <em>maguro<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Hmmm that\u2019s certainly true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04379-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04379-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04379-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04379-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04379-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>K: Right. So for me, <em>maguro<\/em> is an irreplaceable fish for sushi. I\u2019m very fortunate to handle&nbsp; such special food on a daily basis, in addition to working with some of the most talented chefs in the country. The top sushi restaurants in Japan use the <em>maguro<\/em> we select and deliver. Their customers are also the most extraordinary people in Japan and from abroad. <em>Maguro<\/em> truly is a special ingredient that has the power to impress people in special places. Although we don\u2019t really get to see the reactions of these people when they bite into the piece of <em>maguro<\/em> unfortunately,,&nbsp; I have a strong intention to make these people happy, even if I can\u2019t be there to see their reactions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Now I understand how Mr Osako was intrigued by you. Thank you for teaching us a lot today and sharing your passion with us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>K: Thank you for having me. I hope to see you again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interview &amp; Photograph : Kohei Adachi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"718\" src=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04377-1280x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04377-1280x718.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04377-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04377-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d3bgwmp1lzmn98.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DSC04377-2048x1149.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Famous track and field star Suguru Osako told us, \u201cI found someone interesting in Toyosu.\u201d So we pai&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/?p=718","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","en-US"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=742"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":744,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/742\/revisions\/744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sketch-book.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}