Studio1156 featured in The Guardian article on chef Endo Kazutoshi

The Guardian recently published a long feature titled “Endo dreams of sushi: a trip around Japan with one of the world's greatest chefs”.

The article is a long feature following the journey of Endo Kazutoshi, the chef of the Michelin-starred sushi restaurant Endo at the Rotunda in London.

After his restaurant in London suffered a devastating fire in 2025, Endo returned to Japan and began a journey to revisit the people who support sushi behind the scenes.

The story introduces many individuals connected to sushi culture — rice growers, vinegar makers, fish traders, and ceramic artisans — highlighting the many hands behind sushi culture.

During this journey, the article mentions Endo’s visit to Studio1156 when he stopped in Fukuoka.

We at Studio1156 have had the privilege of working with Endo from the very early stages of launching Endo at the Rotunda. Looking back, we feel that we too have grown together, even if only in a small way.

Along the way, we also experienced the difficult years of the pandemic together, both in Japan and the UK.

When the restaurant was unable to open for regular service, Endo contacted us from London to say that they would begin offering takeaway. We still remember sending bento boxes from Japan several times for their takeaway service — it does not feel so long ago.

Our founder and Endo also visited many artisans and kilns in Karatsu, Arita and Imari together, commissioning custom-made tableware.

In fact, it often seemed that they spent more time talking and traveling together than discussing the objects themselves.

Yet those shared experiences are perhaps what allowed our relationship to continue until today, and what helps shape the craftsmanship Endo seeks.

Reading this article reminded us of how we first met Endo and the many moments since then. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on those memories.

We are truly honored that Studio1156 is mentioned in an article introducing Japanese food culture and craftsmanship to readers around the world.

Our company name, Qusavi, comes from the Japanese word kusabi, meaning a wedge — something that connects and holds things together.

In many ways, it reflects what we hope to do: connect Japanese makers with the people who use and appreciate their work.

If you are interested, please take a look at the article below!

Read the article