Negative Space: Japanese
- Changes in Japanese Drinking Patterns
- Margaret J. Sargent writes about drinking and sociability in post-war Japan; she also mentions in passing that the “bad” alcohol was made by disliked foreigners, in this case Koreans.
- Japanese Country Cookbook
- Review of Japanese Country Cookbook, with a recipe for Chicken Teriyaki with Sesame.
- Notes on Drinking in Japan
- Bufo Yamamuro writes that Buddhism preached complete abstinence from “strong drink”. Japanese mythology appears to have considered alcohol almost a weapon and they had several abortive bouts with prohibition.
- The Seven Samurai
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Probably the most influential samurai film, starring Toshirô Mifune and directed by Akira Kurosawa. It inspired more than just samurai: “The Magnificent Seven” was “Seven Samurai” remade into one of the most influential westerns.
- Tampopo
- The “first noodle western”, involving a search for the “perfect bowl of top ramen”. Takes place in Tokyo, in Japanese, with English subtitles. Very funny and well worth seeing.
- Tokyo Drifter
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A quirky B-Grade mafia film from 1966 Japan’s 2-movie a week Nikkatsu studio and cult favorite Seijun Suzuki. Filmed in “original, glorious Nikkatsu-scope”.
More Information
- The Seven Samurai•
-
Probably the most influential samurai film, starring Toshirô Mifune and directed by Akira Kurosawa. It inspired more than just samurai: “The Magnificent Seven” was “Seven Samurai” remade into one of the most influential westerns.
- Tampopo•
-
The “first noodle western”, involving a search for the “perfect bowl of top ramen”. Takes place in Tokyo, in Japanese, with English subtitles. Very funny and well worth seeing.
- Ikuru
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“Cinematic narrators often signalling laziness, a lack of confidence —or talent—on the filmmaker’s part: Show, don’t tell, remember? But in Ikiru, narration is required: our main character, Mr. Watanabe—the stooped, blank faced public affairs section chief at Tokyo City Hall—is so hollow, he needs some introduction.”
- Convoy Yakitori Story Part 2—Yokohama Yakitori Koubou
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“Seeing that I’d spent so much time tracking the opening of Yakitori Koubou, I really don’t know why it took me so long to visit the place. I finally got my act together, and along with FOY (Friend of Yoso) Candice paid Koubou a visit.”
