Chef Ichiro presented beautiful five courses. It was inspiring to hear the concept behind each dishes, and his interpretation of Five Elements reflected into the selection of the ingredients, how he prepared them and stunning presentation.

For the second half of the night, Shiho Sakamoto and I presented our Five Elements, the marriage of Japanese calligraphy and wagashi. Our inspiration was the two contrasting cycle of energies of Five Elements:

Generating Energy (Chi)

Based on Five Element Theory, each elemental force generates or creates the next element in a creative sequence.

Water generates wood. Rain nourishes a tree.
Wood generates fire. Burning wood generates fire.
Fire generates earth. Ash is created from the fire.
Earth generates metal. Metal is mined from the earth.
Metal generates water. Water condenses on metal.

Regulating Energy (Chi)

Based on Five Element Theory, each elemental force is also associated with another element which it is responsible for controlling or regulating.

Water controls fire. Water puts fire out.
Wood controls earth. Tree roots hold clods of earth.
Fire controls metal. Fire can melt metal.
Earth controls water. A pond holds water.
Metal controls wood. An ax cuts wood.