by Bruce Rutledge | April 26, 2008
When you first enter the warehouse a half block northwest of Safeco Field on the south edge of Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, the vast array of antiques piled high and deep is intimidating. An enormous wooden god of some sort peers down at you; an ancient-looking boat leans against the wall; ink paintings, carvings and ceramic ware are piled willy-nilly. And the tansu — those beautiful heavy wooden chests — seem to crowd you in as you walk through the maze of Japanese antiques and curiosities.
But after awhile, you start to develop buyers’ eyes. Details spring out at you. An elephant carved from a single piece of wood catches your eye. Some of the ink paintings you unroll seem like ancient treasures. And the secret drawers in the far back of some of the tansu conjure up images of someone in 19th century Japan hiding an illicit love letter or a precious family heirloom.
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by Johnnie & Taiko Stroud | January 8, 2008
Editor’s note: Seattle is blessed in many ways, and Johnnie and Taiko Stroud decided last summer to bestow one more blessing on the city: The country’s first premium saké shop and tasting bar, Saké Nomi, tucked down an attractive side street in Pioneer Square.
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by Taichi Kitamura | November 12, 2007
Sushi has become a global cuisine, and yet, every day in my and other sushi bars, some customers still fumble through their meals, making a general mess of things. It’s really not their fault because no one has ever bothered to tell them how to eat sushi. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind the next time you dine.
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by Bruce Rutledge | August 9, 2007
A trip to an upscale sushi bar can be a stressful experience. Taichi Kitamura, the master chef at Chiso, one of Seattle’s most popular sushi restaurants, has been observing customers from behind the counter for years and offers these tips for enjoying your next sushi dinner:
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