Ep. 118: Kurita Persuades Photographer Isamu Kinjō Through Traditional Hida Cuisine
Mariko Niki proposes hiring photographer Isamu Kinjō for Touzai Graph, but he declines, viewing food coverage as trivial. Undeterred, Kurita pursues Kinjō during a drive in his Datsun Bluebird, which he describes as embodying Japan’s post-war industrial resilience against American competitors. Seeking a solution, Yamaoka recommends the Hida Takayama morning market. The group arrives the night before to gather fresh ingredients. Yamaoka prepares a local specialty by heating soybean paste with salted vegetables and steamed rice over a hibachi using a dried silver magnolia leaf. Kinjō is moved by this authentic taste of Japan. Kurita challenges him to capture the experience in a photograph. Impressed by the meal and the challenge, Kinjō later visits the Touzai offices to accept the assignment.
Episodes
- Ep. 114 · Yamaoka and Kurita interview critic Shinichi Furuyoshi about Japanese spirit culture and Awamori aging.
- Ep. 115 · Inspector Nakamatsu investigates a chef with amnesia found on Miharabashi Bridge holding a spice list.
- Ep. 116 · Chief Editor Nita Invites Culture Department for Global Food Tour Article Production
- Ep. 117 · Mariko’s Success Leads to a Dinner with Nito Bank and a Protected Bird Controversy
- Ep. 118 · Kurita Persuades Photographer Isamu Kinjō Through Traditional Hida Cuisine
- Ep. 119 · Isamu Kinjō seeks to lure Hide Hirao back to Paris through a culinary contest between Yamaoka and Kaibara.
- Ep. 120 · Yamaoka helps Teruko fix her relationship with Katamori using giant chawanmushi
- Ep. 121 · Mariko admires Yamaoka's independence while Niki values human life over fragile objects.
- Ep. 122 · Global Food Tour Team Debates Spicy Mentaiko Cooking Methods and Quality