The 13th installment of "Today's Book," a series selecting books to accompany you on camping trips and solo journeys, features "Juzo Itami's Books." While I enjoy watching movies, I primarily watch them for entertainment and don't delve deeply into directors or the historical context.
The Japanese films I genuinely found interesting were "Tampopo," "A Taxing Woman," and "A Taxing Woman 2."
I noticed a similar vibe in these films, and upon investigation, I discovered for the first time that they were all directed by Juzo Itami. Amazed by his talent, I decided to purchase this book.
Shocked by the movie "Tampopo"
The story depicts Tampopo, a female ramen shop owner, whose struggling business is revitalized by Goro, a cowboy hat-wearing truck driver, and his partner Gun. This narrative is interspersed with various sub-stories themed around "food and desire," creating a unique structure.
Goro, after a conflict with ruffians, departs with a lingering affection for Tampopo, a setup reminiscent of a Western. Furthermore, the film includes whimsical and sensual episodes filled with extensive knowledge about food, such as French cuisine, spaghetti, and Peking duck. This work is also credited with accelerating the ramen boom in Japan and achieving significant success in America.
I was deeply impressed by how the film, through the act of "eating," explored the essence of human life.
His wife, Nobuko Miyamoto
Upon further research, I learned that despite his wife, Nobuko Miyamoto, being a skilled actress, she was rarely cast in leading roles. So, he thought, "Why not cast her as the lead in my own films?" This was how he decided on the cast. They are a wonderful couple, balancing both marital love and professional dedication.
The assault incident after the movie "Minbo: The Japanese Art of Extortion"
Before the Anti-Boryokudan Act was enforced, extortion by yakuza was quite rampant in Japan.
Through Mahiru Inoue, a lawyer specializing in civil intervention violence (Minbo), this film revealed the weaknesses and blind spots of the yakuza, who had previously been perceived only as terrifying figures.
Shortly after this film was released in theaters, director Juzo Itami was indeed attacked by yakuza in front of his home.
However, knowing Juzo Itami's unwavering stance against violence as he continued to make films, I now, in the Reiwa era, reflect on the struggles and fears he must have fought, which are not depicted in "Juzo Itami's Books."
Juzo Itami's good taste, as written in the essay "Onna-tachi yo!"
Among the many anecdotes about Juzo Itami in this book, what resonated most with me was a passage from his book "Onna-tachi yo!" that touched upon the al dente method of cooking spaghetti.
I will conclude this article by quoting the introduction to that book.
Thank you.
"A person's true nature is revealed in their everyday behavior. From how to eat spaghetti, how to enjoy alcohol, how to truly make a salad, how to correctly drive a car, how to wear a sweater, how to light a match in strong winds, to the art of 'strong and swift' romance. This is a practical philosophy-of-life essay depicted through experiential anecdotes. How does one become a proper adult? This book is for the 'men' who ask such questions."
