The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

An outstanding work of art that draws you into a world and its characters like nothing else in TV show form that I can remember. It's easily my favourite Koreeda project since Shoplifters, and I strongly suspect the overall experience made me more feel healed and embraced than any other new show I could have watched instead. I saw a lot of familiarities to Hou Hsiao-hsien in his direction here, which I'm not sure means he is more conciously taking inspiration this time, or if my own recent investment in Hou's filmography has made me notice it more.

It is a show that manages to be devoid of sentimentalism, instead refraining from any unbelievable gimmicks or cheap moments of tension in favour of retaining a sincere heart, and exploring its subjects as earnestly as possible. He continues to emphasise believable stakes which may seem uninterestingly small or insignificant on paper, but mean everything in the world of these people who are just trying to find themselves and do what they can to get by. As much as it's easy to label 'mundane nothing', it is only ostensibly so, with layers of deep and thoughtfully constructed emotionality, giving you space to reflect upon seemingly everything should you choose to engage.

You follow a cast of unique, complex and lovable characters that you grow to learn about in the most organic and impactful way. As you watch the last two episodes, what you've taken in throughout starts to bubble to the surface of your consciousness - much like the gradual preparation of a distinct and familiar meal.

Koreeda manages to crush your heart in his hands before picking it up and helping put it back together again. He places you in a world of such cultural specificity and unfamiliarity, but ends up making you believe you've been there your whole life. It all reminded me why I love him. His last two films ultimately didn't as much, so this one delivering on every level is a much needed gift I'll always be thankful for.

What can I say. I loved this. Every moment of it. And I realized this as the serie unfolded: why do we have or make or even accept all the drama in our lives, why? We don't need it, it doesn't make us happy or more true to ourselves. Why all the bitching, fighting, all the selfishness and self absorption and all the room our endless egos need.

Why not live in peace and search for harmony with joy, understanding, patience and respect. Why not laugh more. Eat better. Cook better. Maybe we'll thrive better too.

I loved this serie that actually didn't have much of a story, no dramas, but lots of insight in a lifestyle so different from what I at least are accustomed to. I loved it. Really. Two young giggling teenagers and the rest of the crew made me realize we do need love, understanding, patience and it doesn't have to be the wild kind of love, but the affectionate one works too. Maybe even better. And we need joy in our heats. And we are not dum if we laugh or giggle a lot. We need that spark of joy:)

The series is really different from anything I've ever watched. Somehow it resembles more the Japanese lifestyle YouTubers that I've followed. It's labelled as "drama" but it borders a new genre almost. The series is so naturally written, acted and directed that it seems like a reality show. It is not rushed at all, which is really nice. There is time for little details of the cooking, of the food, studying ingredients, talking to food, smiles, jokes, etc. The characters are (mostly) super cute, friendly, beautiful and innocent. There is no real conflict but the story moves on, almost in the background somehow. It is really sweet and I find it quite refreshing. It took me a while to realize it's set in modern times, the maikos have mobile phones and stuff, but it looks and feels more like a period series. I personally love it.

This series is refreshingly light-hearted, wholesome and easy to binge watch. The food scenes highlight the intention and artfulness of Japanese cuisine and make me want to try more of it. The intimate shots of Kyoto make it feel like we're there on tour, seeing places we might not get to see if we were mere tourists. Though the dialogue and characters seem so simplistic and giggly throughout the series (something that would normally be a huge turnoff for me), there is something subtle about them and the culture that pulls you in and makes you want to be kinder, less selfish and more grateful for life's simple pleasures. While watching this series, I found myself wanting to elevate my own cooking of my family's meals and to be more appreciative of things I commonly take for granted. It's like the central characters are so exemplary in many respects, that their goodness permeates through the screen and rubs off on you. I also enjoyed learning more about geiko and maiko culture. Unfortunately, I was misled by Memoirs of a Geisha to think that Geisha/Geiko were more like high-end prostitutes but this series made it clear that that was a gross mischaracterization of the role these delicate and respected purveyors of tradition and historical art play in Japanese society. I hope there will be a second season.

Two girls leave their rural village to travel to Kyoto where they join a maiko (apprentice geisha) house in the hope of realising their dreams. Sadly one is a naturally elegant whilst the other seems to lack coordination and will never make the grade. The story is gently told over 9 episodes and we get to see that even though dreams are thwarted new ones can appear. The people in the house are addressed as mother, sister or brother and we see how even though they are not blood relations they all have a bond. Food is an important part of the story and many of the best scenes centre around the kitchen and how important taste and flavours can be to connect us with our past. A beautiful story with an insight into the lives of maiko but more importantly a story of true friendship.