Behind the Scenes: We’re All Wrapped Up in Shiro’s New Memoir

We’ve just put our December issue to bed, and one of the features we’re really excited about is our exclusive excerpt from a new memoir by Seattle’s iconic sushi chef, Shiro Kashiba (Shiro’s in Belltown is his namesake restaurant).

Shiro: Wit, Wisdom & Recipes From a Sushi Pioneer is not only a fascinating read, it’s simply gorgeous—which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with previous books by the publisher, Seattle’s Chin Music Press.

The local book company is committed to producing books that are things of beauty in and of themselves—and at an affordable price. In this case, Shiro’s memories are augmented by a stunning array of vintage photos from his childhood in Japan, as well as his first culinary and outdoorsy experiences in Seattle (he moved here to make sushi in 1966 and went on to open Seattle’s first full-service sushi bar at Maneki). The bold illustrations (by Josh Powell) capture Shiro’s spirit with color and movement that feel both retro and wholly modern.

Keep an eye out for the excerpt in our December issue… and meanwhile, mark your calendar for November 19th, when Shiro and Chin Music Press will celebrate the launch of the book with a party at the Wing Luke Asian Museum in the International District. (4:30 p.m. $15–$20).