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Have you ever stopped to wonder why the Japanese have lids on their tableside bowls? The answer is culinary poetry. The cover makes the food into something mysterious by concealing it. Then when finally opened, the aroma is twice as poignant. In fact, the Japanese have perfected table setting manners into an art form that many believe is more important to this culture than the food itself. It is a lovely thought to think about creating a beautiful, elegant atmosphere in which to dine.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why the Japanese have lids on their tableside bowls? The answer is culinary poetry. The cover makes the food into something mysterious by concealing it. Then when finally opened, the aroma is twice as pungent. In fact, the Japanese have perfected table setting manners into an art form that many believe is more important to this culture than the food itself. It is a lovely thought to think about creating a beautiful, elegant atmosphere in which to dine.
The presentation is essential. Carefully selected bowls and dishes create a harmony between the ingredients, the meal, and the plates themselves. The Japanese do not have “matching sets of dishes” like Europeans tend to possess. Rather, the serving dishes are assembled like a modernist abstract painting for each feast setting. A variety of dishes materials is used in one place setting, such as bamboo, cedar, metal, glass, and ceramics.
In the winter, the table place setting should invoke memories of springtime weather. Conversely, in the summer, the dishes must be cold reminiscent of wintery days. The seasons are important symbols as well as anything replicating nature. For example, plates used in the winter may be varying colors of “red” that symbolize heat. In the summer, it would be reasonable to expect an icy cold glass plate that both would keep the sashimi cool for an extended period.
Once the table is set harmoniously with nature, the guests are expected to follow a grand host of traditional manners while dining. If planning a visit to a Japanese restaurant, whether close to home or as far as Japan itself, consider taking notes on proper behaviors. For example, do not pour out more soy sauce than you will most certainly consume. Wash your hands carefully at the table with the warmed towels. Eat every last grain of rice on your plate or in your bowl. And whatever you do, never blow your nose, burp or make audible munching sounds while eating unless, of course, you are slurping your ramen noodle soup with gusto. Certainly, those are all manners we should all follow.
