Film Festival showcases Japanese cuisine

The Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF2015) gave the Embassy of Japan a platform to showcase their traditional culture, particularly their cuisine. Culinary art is a very important part of their traditional culture, said Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi, as he addressed guests before the screening of The Tale of Samurai Cooking: True Love Story.
“This year Japanese Film entries are all characterized by Japanese cuisine as a part of their traditional culture. They demonstrate the originality, diversification, and internationalization of themes and styles of Japanese culinary culture. I hope many of you enjoyed tasting Washoku, traditional Japanese-style food such as sushi, tempura and miso soup,” he said.
He further explained that the films do not only unfold splendid Japanese culinary history and culture, but also reveal the colourful contemporary Japan, and Japan’s course of culinary development.
“‘Washoku’ literally means traditional Japanese-style food but it can also be translated to mean ‘harmony of food’, as it seeks to achieve nutritional balance and aesthetic harmony at the table; both a culinary philosophy and a set of practical guidelines for preparing Japanese food. In December 2013, Washoku was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage,” he said.
Guests at the event enjoyed sampling Japanese cuisine. “Although I was eating Japanese food for the first time, I have enjoyed it,” said Tatenda Chimhanda.
Japanese films: The Tale of Samurai Cooking: True Love Story, Mourning Recipe, and Garden of Words are being screened at the Festival.