 From left: Denny Yamashita, Junki Yoshida, and Kazue Ishiwata |
“I love myself,” said Junki Yoshida, known as the “Sauce King” who brewed the original Yoshida sauce in his basement to give as Christmas gifts 30 years ago. He was in Seattle recently, speaking to the Japan-America Society members at the One Union Square Building.
Perhaps he’s egotistic, narcissistic, or arrogant, which is not very typical of Asian personalities.
I have never heard an Asian be so shameless about self-love and self-promotion. Yet, it’s refreshing to hear it. Even though I am a confident human being, I have never had the courage to say the same words.
His argument is, “If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love other people.” For Asian Americans who have low self-esteem, take note of Junki’s words. His words can be therapeutic for Asians who have been struggling with their identity as well as self-image issues. ♦