The idea of OMOTENASHI and its forms varied among these top restaurants in Japan. I had so much fun interviewing the chefs. In a way, interviewing someone feels like you can ask anything, because interviewees try to answer to the best of their ability. You can put someone in a situation where you don't know each other but can take a shortcut and peek into their souls and minds — which felt like a sin. Still, at the time I was the only person who had met all 17 chefs and spoken face to face about their philosophies and agendas, and that treasure will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Please visit www.tenshoucollection.com for all mini documentary films. Here are screenshots and some of my favorites.