Zuma / Contemporary Japanese Style Restaurant

 

Japanese Cuisine Restaurants

Japanese culture has recently become extremely popular all over the world. Japanese cuisine (called washoku) is as popular as Anime and Manga. Washoku, a traditional Japanese food culture, was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013. The number of Japanese cuisine restaurants in the world is now over 88,700. The image the world has of Japanese cuisine is that it is “healthy” and “expensive”, according to a certain survey. Japanese cuisine is even becoming a status symbol for wealthy people.

Although there were a lot of restaurants of poor quality which didn’t have accurate knowledge and cooking methods of Japanese cuisine, the number of authentic restaurants has recently been increasing through training in Japan. The competition among such restaurants is expected to become more intense in the future, and it will be a key issue in how they differentiate themselves from other restaurants.

Japanese Cuisine Picture

Japanese Cuisine (Washoku)

 

Shitsurae and Omotenashi

It is necessary to understand the spiritual and cultural values and characteristics of the Japanese people in order to further improve the authentic restaurants. This is because Japanese cuisine involves not only dishes but also a comprehensive art born through “shitsurae” (preparation for guests) and “omotenashi” (Japanese hospitality). An example Japanese cuisine’s beautiful arrangement and selected tableware characteristic of Japanese cuisine. Japanese people change tableware, equipment, interior decoration and atmosphere depending on seasons, occasions and guests. This is based on the spirit of hospitality, and this spirit accentuates dishes. Japanese food culture includes them too.

You can feel “Omotenashi” more through this video.

 

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However, chefs can easily notice the tableware and the arrangement of the cuisine. The differentiation by them becomes gradually difficult and saturated someday. So what I’d like to propose is the differentiation by “kakejiku” (Japanese hanging scrolls).

 

Kakejiku Japanese Hanging Scroll

Kakejiku_Tokonoma Picture

There is tokonoma alcove, a sacred space, in washitsu (Japanese traditional room). Kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll paintings) are displayed in tokonoma and they are tools to express the host’s hospitality to guests. In Japan hosts display a suitable kakejiku depending on seasons, guests and occasions, and entertain guests by making the mood the best. That is to say, kakejiku functions as art and tools to convey the spirit of hospitality. Japanese people liven up the atmosphere by displaying paintings as in Western countries. They decorate trees for Xmas and pumpkins for Halloween. In addition, the kakejiku is the most suitable form to allow for easy changing of the paintings at any time. The beauty of scrolls is that they can be rolled up, which makes them compact, portable and easy to store. Moreover the kakejiku is very light and easy to handle. We can easily change our own wall gallery depending on how we feel on the day.

The mounting, which is both decorative and also serves to protect the main work, is called the hyougu. People appreciate the combination of the two as one work of art. Elegant gorgeous damask (donsu) and gold brocade (kinran) are used for the kakejiku. The hyougu can also give a unique atmosphere to the room. Kakejiku are displayed even now in high- class Japanese-style restaurants and Japanese-style hotels.

If Japanese food restaurants abroad pay attention to the tradition, understand kakejiku and differentiate themselves from others as a real Japanese cuisine restaurant, they are certain to grab the interest of customers.

 

 

Zuma

Zuma picture

I like to surf the net, so I looked up Japanese cuisine restaurants around the world online. And then, I found an interesting one. This restaurant’s name is “Zuma,” which is a global restaurant chain with the slogan ”Contemporary Japanese Cuisine.” According to Rainer Becker, the co-founder, the name Zuma doesn’t have Japanese meaning, and he gave the uncommon name to the restaurant for the purpose of attracting more attention. In 2002 Rainer launched Zuma’s first location in London. Its success led to the opening of Zuma restaurants in Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Miami, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Datça Peninsula and New York. Rainer talked about the motivation for his startup as follows.

“In Western countries Japanese cuisine is almost synonymous with “sushi” (a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients, seafood, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits), “sashimi” (a Japanese delicacy consisting of very fresh raw meat or fish sliced into thin pieces) “tempura” (a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried) and “misoshiru” (miso soup). However, I have lived in Japan for 6 years and knew many more kinds of Japanese cuisine. For example, I like barbecue, so I took a great fancy to “robatayaki” (Japanese barbecue-style cooking). This is why I wanted to introduce various Japanese cuisine to other people.”

Rainer Becker Picture

Rainer Becker

 

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The concept of his dishes is “unexpectedness not influenced by traditional style” and we can enjoy a unique menu at the restaurant. Besides, Rainer says “Zuma designs harmony of ingredients” too. This means that Zuma doesn’t mix too many ingredients and completes dishes simply to bring out their characteristics. In addition, only 4 materials are used for the interior; stone, glass, iron and wood. Zuma serves urbanized menu items such as Japanese sake cocktail and shouchuu (distilled spirits) cocktail in the bar. Also, only raw fruit is used in the bar to make the most of the ingredients.

Rainer (a German man) took part in the opening of Park Hyatt Tokyo (a five-star hotel) as a chef and has lived in Japan for 6 years, during which he recognized the beauties of Japanese cuisine. He fraternized with Kenichirou Ooe, who is a chef of the “Kozue” restaurant in the hotel, and learned extensively about Japanese cuisine. Zuma makes good use of that knowledge.

 

 

Although I’ve not visited Zuma yet, I’m really pleased to hear that people from other countries love Japanese cuisine like this. That is especially why I would like to let Zuma know about kakejiku, one of the most important elements of Japanese culture, and adopt them.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is so sophisticated. The first restaurant in London was designed by Takashi Sugimoto, one of the most famous Japanese interior designers. I feel strong preference to the interior through the selection of designers. By the way, I feel more familiar with Zuma’s interior because Mosaic Garden, a symbol of Kobe city (my hometown) was designed by Takashi Sugimoto too.

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I’d like Zuma to display kakejiku to entertain customers. I suppose that seasonal kakejiku will suit the restaurant and calligraphic kakejiku are interesting too. Please imagine that every time customers visit Zuma, the paintings in the restaurant are changed. In short, this is an Japanese style restaurant with an added element of picture galleries. It is impossible that the customers would ignore them.If the customers ask about the kakejiku, please teach them various things, such as the profound kakejiku history and the customs of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality). I don’t mind if Zuma utilizes our company’s HP. It would be interesting for us to collaborate on the project with Zuma. There is surely something ahead which makes customers will get absorbed in. The addictive attraction will increase the customer repeat rate and the reputation of the restaurant will spread through word of mouth. Zuma will eventually succeed as a unique Japanese style restaurant.

Mosaic Garden Picture

Mosaic Garden in Kobe City

 

 

Zuma Rome

PALAZZO FENDI Picture

PALAZZO FENDI

 

In the spring of 2016, a new Zuma restaurant will open at the PALAZZO FENDI, an iconic building in Rome.

FENDI, the representative luxury brand of Rome will collaborate with Zuma, which won many international awards. Zuma Rome is located at the Piazza Calro Goldoni and an exclusive entrance is provided along Fontanella Borghese street. The restaurant occupies two upper flowers of the building, and we can see “The City of Water” from a beautiful terrace on the rooftop. The cooperative relationship between two international enterprises is producing an excellent synergistic effect.

Zuma Rome is Zuma’s 10th restaurant, which was designed by Noriyoshi Matsumura, a Japanese designer of STUDIO GLITT. The new restaurant was designed by Noriyoshi and Rainer from the beginning so that it would extol the energy of that place while retaining Zuma’s style and spirit. The Roman atmosphere elegantly accentuates the taste of the dishes.

 

I hope that kakejiku will be displayed someday at the Zuma Rome, a commemorable restaurant.

 
 

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CEO Message

Our Feelings For Kakejiku


 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

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Company Profile
syaoku.jpg(120220 byte)

Name Art Nomura


President Tatsuji Nomura


Founded1973


Established1992


Address7-23 Babadori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe city,
Hyougo Prefecture, 655-0021, Japan



Capital10 million yen


URLhttp://nomurakakejiku.com


Our Business

 Art Nomura is an art dealer which produces kakejiku (hanging scrolls). We mount many paintings and calligraphic works in kakejiku in my factory. Kakejiku are our main product. We also remount and repair old or damaged kakejiku. We share the traditional Japanese art of kakejiku with people all over the world.



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Access Map

Access Map


 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

(or press ESC or click the overlay)