Jiro Ono with his son and apprentices. source: thedailybeast.com
I’m a few years late to this party but I only recently watched the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The documentary focuses on a then 85 year old Jiro Ono and the staff of his small, unassuming restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, located in a basement near a subway in Japan. Jiro Ono became the first sushi chef in the world to be awarded 3 Michelin stars. He is regarded as a national treasure by the Japanese government and for good reason. Chef Jiro evolves sushi to an artform and while I don’t aspire to be a sushi chef, watching Chef Jiro has taught me the following invaluable lessons about work ethic and commitment.
- Love what you do. “Once you decide on your occupation… you must fall in love with your work.” I watched this documentary to see skillfully made sushi but I instead marveled at the profound wisdom of Chef Jiro. This is an 85 year old man who works every. single. day. except for public holidays and to attend funerals. Such dedication and commitment can only spring from genuine love for what he does. Chef Jiro also says that you should not spend time looking for the job you love. Instead, learn to love the job you have. This is an important lesson for those who are not able to just drop everything and look for their dream job. There is something important in the job that each of us does. Find that aspect of your job and celebrate it.
- Always leave room to grow. At the time of the documentary, Chef Jiro had been a sushi chef for 76 years and yet he is still in pursuit of perfection. The constant striving for self improvement does not mean being hard on yourself or disregarding your worth. Know who you are and celebrate what you are good at but also know where you can improve. Chef Jiro does not set upper limits on himself. He says, “The is always a yearning to achieve more. I will continue to climb, trying to reach the top – but no one knows where the top is.”
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shizo Abe at Sukiyabashi Jiro in Aprill 2014 source: commons.wikimedia.org
- Discipline is the key to achieving your best. “I do the same thing over and over. Improving bit by bit. ” Chef Jiro lives each day following a strict schedule. He even waits for the train in the same spot every morning! While not everyone has the ability to perform at their best in a rigid schedule, we can all adapt his core values to suit each of our lifestyles. Chef Jiro believes that the subtle nuances of a craft can be discovered through repetition and consistency. When you spend years doing the same thing, you learn to appreciate every detail and you become more aware of the requirements for a perfect execution each time. Your skill will improve gradually, incrementally, and reliably.
- The time you dedicate to your craft earns you the right to be considered good. Chef Jiro’s apprentices must train under him for at least ten years before they can be considered master sushi chefs. Each apprentice must start working at the bottom rung of the ladder and prove that they are capable of the more menial tasks before they are entrusted with actual sushi making. They are only promoted to a more difficult task once the apprentice above them has moved on. The emphasis on ‘earning your stripes’ brings authenticity to your work and allows you to explore every facet of your craft. Chef Jiro says, “You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill.That’s the secret to success and is the key to being regarded honorably.”
- Always accept criticism graciously. The documentary shows Chef Jiro critiquing the work of his apprentices as part of their training. They make trial sushi and Chef Jiro gives his remarks and suggestions to them, telling them where they can improve. Their responses are always a firm and respectful “Yes.” There is no ego or attitude, just an assurance that they understand and that they will do better next time. In order to be the best, you must accept lessons from the best and this can be relevant to any craft. While you may not agree with every criticism you receive, at least take a moment to consider this point of view. It may add an otherwise disregarded dimension to your work.
What really resonated with me is the similarities of these lessons with those I learnt as a dance student. Every value was a universal rule for success and while Chef Jiro applies this philosophy to sushi, I believe that every person in any profession can learn from his example. Watch the trailer for Jiro Dreams of Sushi below.
To check out my dance blog, go to bharathanatyam.wordpress.com and please leave your comments and suggestions below 🙂
-Sharm
Life Of Sharm 