I’ve arrived late at Noriko Takiguchi’s guide to sushi, but it’s gripping reading for sushi lovers. My favorite detail was in lesson five: “When you touch the soy sauce with sushi, it has to be quick, almost like a fish jumping up from between the waves.”

At another level, it’s a good introduction to some aspects of Japanese culture and thought. I’ve always believed that there were two broad kinds of journalistic approach to a subject: in the macro approach, you offer an overview or generalization and provide necessary examples; in the micro approach, you start with a case study or corner of a subject, and through detailed examination reach larger conclusions.

I’m more a fan of the micro and Noriko is providing a way into Japan by writing about sushi.