Pizza Toast & Coffee: Kissa Būgen

[@CraigMod]

A note on the cutting technique, from Kissa by Kissa: Standard-issue pizza toast is constructed atop slices of white bread about an inch and a half thick. Yamane innovates in the following ways: The crust on two of the long sides of the bread is cut eighty percent off - not entirely, but mostly. The bread is then scored into long thirds on one side, and then flipped and further scored into perpendicular shallow thirds. Flipped once more, the bread, thusly prepped, is topped with a light, sweet tomato sauce, mozzarella, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and thin-sliced salami. From a customer experience perspective, a gentle tug on any of the strips of toast produces a square, bite-sized nugget of pizza-like delight. And the crust? “I’ve found some customers don’t like to eat the crust,” said Yamane, “So I made it easy to pull off. But for those customers that do like crust, cutting it allows it to catch some extra char.” = = = 「標準的なピザトーストは1.5インチ(訳注: 約3.8cm)の厚さに切った食パンの上に構築される。山根氏の発明はこれだ：両側にある長い方のパンの耳は完全に切り落とすのではなく、厚みに対し80%のところまで切り目を入れる。次にパンを縦方向に三等分に切り目を入れ、ひっくり返して今度は横方向に垂直に三等分する。もう一度ひっくり返す。このように準備されたパンの上には甘みのあるトマトソースが薄く敷かれ、その上にはモッツァレラチーズ、ピーマンの輪切り、玉ねぎスライス、しめじ、薄切りサラミが乗る。 顧客目線で説明すると、トーストのどの部分を優しく引きちぎっても、一口サイズのピザナゲットのような喜びを得ることができる。そしてパンの耳だ。「好きじゃないお客さんもいるからね」と山根氏は語る。「だから取り除き易くしたんだ。でも耳が好きなお客さんには、切り込みが入ることでカリッと焦げるからそれもいいんだよ」

[@xsilvesnowx]

Though it may seem simple, this is the sort of thing these humble hardworking owners who are so passionate about what they have to offer to society, makes them so special. He has probably been making pizza toast for years, and has found ways to make something simple into something even more enjoyable, the innovation he creates along with his coffee is the experience he wants to offer to customers he is thankful for giving his coffee shop a chance. Very inspiring, especially for someone who wants to make customers happy as well.

[@robgrayson]

What a beautifully crafted little video. Everything about it is a delight: the framing of the shots, the careful use of depth of field, the pacing, the flow, the sound design, the choice of music… Quite spellbinding.

[@joshgastin]

Lovingly-crafted pizza toast made in Japan with an accompanying piano melody and rainy drizzle in the background, what’s not to like?

[@CraigMod]

Thank you, Josh!

[@irvb9881]

I come back to this video every now and then for peace, and to enjoy Craig and Yamane-san's art.

[@PatrickMayo_]

This video is incredibly relaxing. I don't drink coffee, but man I could watch this wonderful man all day making coffee and pizza toast. Thank you so much Craig. I needed this.

[@safesolvent]

Here from Daring Fireball/The Talk show. This was awesome.

[@CraigMod]

🙏🙏

[@gentlemangeek]

This instantly improve my mood on this rainy, gray, and ennui infused midweek morning in Mexico City.

[@ruanbotha7512]

This captures Kissaten culture so perfectly.

[@JaluAndura]

I came here because you tweeted about one person who dislike this. I mean why?!?! Such a calming moment.

[@RamaRamakrishnan]

Beautiful and calming but also poignant. Thank you, Craig.

[@hotelvasthorizon]

This is beautiful. I feel transported to another time and place, and yet it all feels comfortable and familiar

[@CraigMod]

thank you!

[@tamarresnick9490]

Everything is perfect - the almost haunting quality of the music with rain, the moody monochrome, and your loving attention to Yamane-sans' precise movements and attention to detail. Thank you.

[@CraigMod]

Thank you, Tamar.

[@sueshoes]

I can't stop watching. Its so calming.

[@toniwonkanobi]

Watching Japanese people do anything is so calming. What a great culture. I can see why Craig would want to live there!

[@higgsmerino3925]

Try it. I did. Meh. They can't get it together, and be honest. No matter how well one speaks Japanese,one will never be Japanese. But if a Japanese person comes to US, as soon as they set foot and decide to live there, they are American. That experiment seems to add more possibilities and lasting qualities. Racism is abundant in US, worse in Japan.

[@MicaelWidell]

Love this. Just long enough to get immersed in a tiny slice (hah) of Japan, but not long enough to get boring. Would love to see more similar ones.

[@CraigMod]

Thank you Michael - yes, I feel like this is about all pizza toast needs 😂

[@soleus333]

That little smile of happy after a sip of his coffee :)

[@sbhopper8511]

Excellent.

[@ScottGamble1]

Beautiful work! And one day I will be able to say "I briefly watched this film being edited on a live stream with other nerds!" :)

[@gf1478]

At first and second glance, "people are people everywhere" is a reductionist projection of your own culture. Then, as the years go by... it rings true. Deeper true. You get it. In a similar vein, at first (and still lovely soothing) glance, this is oh Exotic Japan... but... oh no, oh know! It's not that at all. Not a reduction but... an expansion. This is It! Beautiful. And Craig, I love your parsing in the comments of the pizza toast cutting technique, and love the little bit after the credits. Honto ni arigato gozaimasu!

[@Callewaerty]

Wow. This video is great. i’d love to see more like them. A craftsman at work, and lovingly filmed.

[@CraigMod]

Cheers 🙏

[@DamonFavor]

I heard you on The Talkshow and was intrigued by your description of your movie. This is beautiful work! I hope you continue your foray into movie making. FYI- KZbin did not show me any ads before or during your movie.

[@paulmorgan6860]

That is a beautiful film.

[@RourkeSD]

Thank you Craig Mod for that video. Love the culture and calm and exactness and courtesy of Japan.

[@WalksofJapan]

Beautifully crafted, both the toast and the video. An act of appreciation and respect from both sides of the camera.

[@CraigMod]

Cheers, John.

[@elementalfitnesslab]

Magical, and well made video! I visit kissa in Ibaraki and wherever I find them, particularly jazz kissa.

[@MattManuel]

I wish I could give more than one 'Like" to this video. Simply beautiful. Thank you.

[@JacanaProductions]

This brings new meaning to - it’s not what you do but how you do it, look how he cuts that Wonder Bread! I try to explain the chopping wood, carrying water thing to my parents - they never get it!

[@michaelhorne2043]

Beautifully created, thank you so much for sharing, Craig

I couldn’t start my day in any better way. Thank you!

[@seeannedesign]

This is beautiful and beautifully filmed 🤍

[@mawafellowhuman]

Meditative. Inviting. Lovely. Thank you!

[@NikoKosewitsch]

There should be a pizza toast episode of Midnight Diner with a cameo appearance of Craig! 😄

[@CraigMod]

i support this suggestion!

[@boomtish]

A meditation on pizza toast.

[@CraigMod]

🧘‍♂️🍕🍞

[@benw4637]

Lovely. And full of “wa”. Thank you.

[@cats-uk]

Here from The Talk Show / Gruber Currently at 915 likes, zero dislikes

[@onesixfive]

I am interested in all things food and I’m aware of the Japanese pizza toast phenomenon. So I’d enjoy most videos on the topic. But your visual style is absolutely amazing. I don’t know if you went to film school or what (I did not). Excellent excellent video and a great tribute.

[@charleslehman767]

Very nice. My wonderful (Japanese) wife just made me a pizza toast yesterday, but this got me to thinking. We have a wonderful Japanese bakery shop up the road in Denver and next time we visit and buy some shokupan I need to slice off some thick slices for pizza.

[@rogervalade]

Very peaceful. Tucci in Italy and Mod in Japan!

[@soundsokf]

言葉に出来ずくらい美しい動画だった

[@CraigMod]

よかったです。ありがとうございました。

[@ZOHAKHALID_]

This is so peaceful

[@bagelreviews]

Loved every second of this

[@CraigMod]

Thank you Bagel channel!

[@bonitabakrie2603]

That Pizza Toast looks so tempting. Japan is excellent for innovative and scrumptious Western-fusion foods. They are very inspirational as well. ❤🤗

[@scottgilliland2061]

Beautiful

[@tinarotheisenberg8504]

Lovely.

[@CraigMod]

Cheers, Tina.

[@notkindacool]

Really beautiful. I love your description (in Roden) of treating it like a bunch of still/moving photographs. I also feel your pain in using the Sony’s for filming.

[@CraigMod]

Thanks Curtis. Yes, Sony menus are baffling. I am afraid to know the design process by which they ended up where they ended up.

[@johnboardley]

This is beautiful, Craig.

[@CraigMod]

Thank you, John!

[@gohaninengland]

Beautiful ❤️

[@TonyWarriner]

Lovely. An inspiration! (also here from Talk Show)

[@angiemusci5146]

so beautiful. Simple. Calming. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@gordonhatusupy2224]

I love this so much!

[@jeffreyholliday]

Just vibing, man

[@CraigMod]

🧘‍♂️🍕🍞☕️

[@cats-uk]

About KZbin ads : I didn’t see any because I have premium. But unless some third party claims the rights to some audio or something, KZbin shouldn’t out ads on them 🤔

[@LouisBidmead]

Dreamy.

[@zdanlins]

lovely.

[@CraigMod]

Thanks Daniel.

[@kelliekrug2915]

this is so beautiful!

[@ongoingmartin]

Meditation. 😌

[@CraigMod]

🧘‍♂️

[@jonathanvdk55]

I love how the sound of the rain continues though the film, even though its filmed indoors. Also, where can one find the music used in the video? Thanks.

[@CraigMod]

Thanks - yes, rain was pounding down so the sound carried through inside. Music is Places, by Alaskan Tapes: www.musicbed.com/songs/places/32824

[@jonathanvdk55]

@@CraigMod oh wow! I thought you just perhaps looped a recording of rain and played it over the top. Regardless it’s great. Will check out the artist too. Thanks.

[@italianinjapan]

I use to make pizza toasts a lot, I can't judge by only watching a video but it looks to me quite unbalanced due the thick bread used (but maybe it is soft and hydrated so it do not stuck in mouth?). Good the choice to add mashed potatoes, tomato and lettuce, it matches well. Dressing with only olive oil, salt & pepper is enough.

[@saradavies9153]

what is the little scoop of something next to the lettuce tomato garnish?

[@CraigMod]

good 'ole potato salad

[@cats-uk]

I will now watch your other videos to help you reach 4000 watch hours. By the way i shoot cat videos using my iPhone for rescue charities. We do indeed have good tools at our disposal. I also love Final Cut Pro, but I’m lazy; I do most of my editing on iOS

[@madwell76]

Why the partial slices on the bread?

[@CraigMod]

pinned a reply to the top; pasting again here: Standard-issue pizza toast is constructed atop slices of white bread about an inch and a half thick. Yamane innovates in the following ways: The crust on two of the long sides of the bread is cut eighty percent off - not entirely, but mostly. The bread is then scored into long thirds on one side, and then flipped and further scored into perpendicular shallow thirds. Flipped once more, the bread, thusly prepped, is topped with a light, sweet tomato sauce, mozzarella, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and thin-sliced salami. From a customer experience perspective, a gentle tug on any of the strips of toast produces a square, bite-sized nugget of pizza-like delight. And the crust? “I’ve found some customers don’t like to eat the crust,” said Yamane, “So I made it easy to pull off. But for those customers that do like crust, cutting it allows it to catch some extra char.”

[@GaneDavid]

What is served on the side?

[@CraigMod]

"normal" salad + potato salad

[@Michael-vu9si]

What a sweet film. Thank you for your efforts that went into this production