Very well done. You describe exactly what I witnessed at a yakitori restaurant in Sapporo in 1991. The grilled skewers of garlic were great, but what I remember most vividly was watching the "busboy" , an older man, apply himself to his work in a way that I've never seen, before or since. I can still picture him "doing his best". Thank you.
@@dispersionmedia You may enjoy Castaway on the Moon. It's a 2009 Korean film that gives me similar vibes. It touches on the toxicity of work culture; discovering the self in solitude; and ramen.
I think it's not so much "a subordinate shouldn't upstage his seniors" as "seniors should know better," and "look at how the slavish imitation in Japanese culture leads them all to copy each other, until they are shamed by the one guy who knows better." Much of the movie is not so much about etiquette as it is a comment on Japanese culture, such as the scene in the restaurant where the guy almost chokes to death and has a vacuum shoved down his throat. This seems funny, except this happens with that food often there and that's actually what they do, so that part of that scene was realism, not comedy. The comedy part is that his wife drops him off and goes off to do her shopping, and her kimono has long sleeves. In Japanese culture long sleeves indicate that a woman is single, so she's obviously ditching him so she can cheat on him for the day. It's also about the presence of food in life. It shows everything from a baby breast feeding to a woman preparing her last meal before she dies, and shows that at all stages of life food is an important part of the experience. Incidentally the man playing the homeless man who breaks into the kitchen was a prominent chef, who is an expert at that dish he makes in the movie, which is why it seems to effortless. I am struck by the fact that while you have interesting commentary on the movie, what you fail to mention about it is that it's a comedy, and one of the most hilarous movies ever made! It's hard to stop laughing long enough to analyze anything in it. A western, set in Tokyo, about noodles!
Doing an essay about this movie as well. The production value of this clip is ridiculous. Why do you have just two dozen subs and not thousands? If this is a sign of what is to come, consider me interested!
Every now and then I find a video essay that is criminally unknown and this is one.
Very well done. You describe exactly what I witnessed at a yakitori restaurant in Sapporo in 1991. The grilled skewers of garlic were great, but what I remember most vividly was watching the "busboy" , an older man, apply himself to his work in a way that I've never seen, before or since. I can still picture him "doing his best". Thank you.
Excellent application of the lessons from Tampopo to the current situation. Thank you.
Just re-watched this last week. It doesn't get nearly the love it deserves. Well done, my friend!
Thank you! I agree; it's one of my favorites.
@@dispersionmedia You may enjoy Castaway on the Moon. It's a 2009 Korean film that gives me similar vibes. It touches on the toxicity of work culture; discovering the self in solitude; and ramen.
@@TheHamOnRye23 Yes, great suggestion! I know that movie well.
It doesn't? It's been a critical darling and film buff gem for literal decades...
A beautiful essay, recently rewatched Tampopo fell in love with it all over again!
Thanks for a good review with unique perspective.
My sincere appreciation as Japanese.
just watched the film. amazing analysis.
I think it's not so much "a subordinate shouldn't upstage his seniors" as "seniors should know better," and "look at how the slavish imitation in Japanese culture leads them all to copy each other, until they are shamed by the one guy who knows better." Much of the movie is not so much about etiquette as it is a comment on Japanese culture, such as the scene in the restaurant where the guy almost chokes to death and has a vacuum shoved down his throat. This seems funny, except this happens with that food often there and that's actually what they do, so that part of that scene was realism, not comedy. The comedy part is that his wife drops him off and goes off to do her shopping, and her kimono has long sleeves. In Japanese culture long sleeves indicate that a woman is single, so she's obviously ditching him so she can cheat on him for the day.
It's also about the presence of food in life. It shows everything from a baby breast feeding to a woman preparing her last meal before she dies, and shows that at all stages of life food is an important part of the experience.
Incidentally the man playing the homeless man who breaks into the kitchen was a prominent chef, who is an expert at that dish he makes in the movie, which is why it seems to effortless.
I am struck by the fact that while you have interesting commentary on the movie, what you fail to mention about it is that it's a comedy, and one of the most hilarous movies ever made! It's hard to stop laughing long enough to analyze anything in it. A western, set in Tokyo, about noodles!
Production values off the charts. Very well done! Please make more.
we want more videos
nice video essay!!!
This is criminallt underrated
One of my all time favourite films but has been difficult to source until now
Just found this Gem////
Doing an essay about this movie as well. The production value of this clip is ridiculous. Why do you have just two dozen subs and not thousands? If this is a sign of what is to come, consider me interested!