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The Meaning and Spirit Behind “Sushi Do” With the warm support of so many people, Sushi School Narita is honored to celebrate its first anniversary. To every student who has traveled from countries around the world to study with us here in Narita, to all the individuals and organizations who continue to support our school, and to everyone who has stood beside us and believed in our mission, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude. This past year has not always been an easy journey. There have been times when we struggled, lost our way, and felt as though we could no longer move forward. Even so, we continued taking one step at a time, holding firmly to one belief: We want to create a place where people can transform their lives through sushi. Today, there is something I would like to share with you once again. It is the meaning behind the words “Sushi Do”—the name of our organization and the philosophy at the heart of everything we do. In life, some people choose to walk along a path that has already been prepared for them. But I have always wanted to live differently. Rather than following a road chosen by someone else, I have wanted to carve out my own path with my own hands. That is why I chose the name “Sushi Do.” The Japanese word “Do” means “the Way” or “the Path.” A true path is not something that simply appears before us, ready to be followed. It is created when we step into untouched and rugged land—pushing through the grass, cultivating the earth, falling down, getting hurt, and still choosing to move forward, one step at a time. Only through the accumulation of those steps does a path begin to take shape. When there is no path before you, create one yourself. When you cannot see which direction to take, choose your own direction. It is all right to take the long way around. It is all right to fail. What matters most is that you do not live someone else’s life, but that you live your own. The same is true in the world of sushi. Today, we live in an age when sushi techniques can be learned from books, videos, and the internet. However, I believe that what we must truly learn lies far beyond technique alone. Before placing fish upon rice, we must ask ourselves how we should live as human beings. With what spirit should we stand before each guest? How should we honor and respect the life contained within every ingredient? How should we express our gratitude through our actions to our colleagues, our families, and all those who support us? What kind of life do we wish to lead? What kind of sushi chef do we hope to become? To continue asking ourselves these questions is what it truly means to follow and learn “the Way.” There are no shortcuts in life. The hours you spend working hard, the sweat you shed, the sleepless nights filled with frustration, and the days when you cry because your efforts did not bring the results you hoped for—none of these experiences are ever wasted. Every one of them becomes part of the path that belongs to you alone. That is why a path carved by your own hands has such great value. Success given to you by someone else can never compare to the success you build through your own strength—after failing again and again, yet refusing to give up. That kind of success is many times more beautiful and many times more worthy of pride. Of course, the journey will never be completely smooth. There will be times when you feel lost. There will be times when you need to stop and catch your breath. There may be nights when you question whether the path you have chosen is truly the right one. Even so, please keep walking. Your next step does not have to be a great one. Even the smallest step is meaningful. If you have moved just a little farther forward than you did yesterday, then you have made genuine progress. Each and every step you take is shaping the person you will become. And one day, when you look back, you will realize that the path you continued to walk—even while uncertain and afraid—has become one beautiful trail through your life. On that day, you will be able to stand tall and say: “This is not a path that someone else gave me. This is the path of my life—a path I cultivated with my own hands, built through my own efforts, and walked with my own feet.” The philosophy we call “Sushi Do” is not simply about learning sushi techniques. It is a way of life—a way to grow as a human being through sushi, to face yourself honestly, and to carve out a future that belongs to you alone. Sushi School Narita is not merely a school where sushi is taught. Regardless of nationality, age, or experience, we want this school to be a place where people with dreams can take a new step forward and begin to believe in their own potential. Our hope is that every person who studies here will one day prepare sushi somewhere in the world, bring a smile to the person standing before them, and continue carving out a path that only they can walk. That is our greatest wish. One year has passed since our school first opened its doors. But our journey has only just begun. We will never forget our gratitude to everyone we have met along the way. Together with the new friends and companions we have yet to meet, we will continue sharing the techniques, culture, and spirit of sushi with the world. A path will not appear simply because we wait for it. A path is not something that can be given to us by another person. A path is something we cultivate with our own hands, walk with our own feet, and create by devoting our lives to it. And in the end, we must walk the path we have chosen with confidence, pride, and courage. That is the belief at the heart of “Sushi Do.” Sushi School Narita will continue walking alongside everyone who has the courage to pursue a dream and take on a new challenge. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support throughout our first year. We sincerely hope that you will continue to walk with us on the journey of “Sushi Do.” Sushi Do General Incorporated Association Hirotoshi Ogawa