A Heartwarming Tale of Samurai Cooking

jude bautista — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 09:51:06 +0000

from left: Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) & Aya Ueto (Haru). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

My Delicate, My Vixen,

Written by

Jude Bautista

Haru (Aya Ueto) turned down the proposal a second time feeling she is not worthy because of her failed marriage: “They say I am impertinent neither meek nor gentle.” Dennai (Toshiyuki Nishida), “If you are neither meek nor gentle my son needs a wife with spirit and life.” He goes down on his knees and begs her to marry him.

from left: Kimiko Yo (Mitsu Funaki), Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki), Aya Ueto (Haru) and Toshiyuki Nishida (Dennai Funaki). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

The dialogue above is from A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY. The Japanese title is Warrior’s Menu (Bushi no Kondate). This Japanese film is part of the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015. The festival features some of the biggest hits of Japanese cinema such as IT’S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE IRODORI, WOOD JOB and feature film based on the manga bestseller: PARASYTE.

from right: Japan Foundation Dir. Shuji Takatori, Shang Rila Plaza Mktg. Div. Head Marline Dualan, Japan Foundation Proj Coordinator Roland Samson, PR guru Joy L. Buensalido and Japan Foundation Prog officer. Mutsuko Ikeda. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Renowned Japanese Filmmaker Yuya Ishii of OUR FAMILY will be at the opening night on July 9 and will conduct talks on 3pm July 10 in Lopez Center Studio ADMU and 430pm July 11, 2015 at Shang Cineplex.

A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY.
The Japanese title is Warrior’s Menu (Bushi no Kondate). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY. The Japanese title is Warrior’s Menu (Bushi no Kondate). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY is a compelling saga of Samurai culture through cuisine. The story written by Michio Kashiwada, Yukiko Yamamuro, and writer/director for this film Yuzo Asahara is unique in revealing that samurai spirit is not only about warfare or violence but also of honor and peace. Through every meal there’s a message of peace between the people who prepare and partake of it. Ingredients gathered from the remotest places like mountainous areas to the coastline are used to symbolize the harmony of the kingdoms.

Ingredients from all over the domain were gathered for the huge banquet. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Ingredients from all over the domain were gathered for the huge banquet. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

The film also goes against the grain of the stereotypical submissive Japanese wife. Haru is the central character and often displays common sense and reason greater than her husband Yasonobu (Kengo Kora).

This preparation was a gift from Haru to Lady Shinnoyin. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

This preparation was a gift from Haru to Lady Shinnoyin. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Synopsis

Unless you’re intimately familiar with the Edo period in Japanese history, some dialogue and background information in the film would be helpful in appreciating the film better.

Samurai class of chefs. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Samurai class of chefs. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

The Funaki clan is part of the Samurai class, which serves the Lords as chef. This is a double purpose, not only are they supposed to be skilled in cooking but is also a security measure. Those were chaotic times with upheavals and power struggles within royal clans. Assassination attempts include poisoning apart from deadly armed assault.

Toshiyuki Nishida as Master Chef Dennai presents a special dish to the Lord of the domain.

Toshiyuki Nishida as Master Chef Dennai presents a special dish to the Lord of the domain. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Dennai Funaki (Toshiyuki Nishida) is the master chef of the Funaki clan. Haru’s knowledgeable palate and deep understanding of Japanese cuisine amazed him. He was hoping that her own passion for cooking would be able to guide and rub off on his son Yasonobu (Kengo Kora). Dennai’s eldest son had died of plague, who was supposed to be the heir to his Master chef post.

left: Aya Ueto (Haru) instructs Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) in washing rice. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

left: Aya Ueto (Haru) instructs Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) in washing rice. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Second son Yasonobu had dedicated his life to Kenjutsu (swordsmanship) roughly translated in the subtitles as fencing. He sees cooking as a task for ‘women and children’. Dennai was hoping that through his marriage with Haru, Yasonobu would develop a genuine love for cooking. In one scene Dennai asks Yasonobu, “Waving a sword and shedding blood, is that all a samurai can do?”

Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) cares more for swordsmanship than cooking. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) cares more for swordsmanship than cooking. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

from left: Toshiyuki Nishida (Denai) asks Aya Ueto (Haru) about a rare vegetable. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

from left: Toshiyuki Nishida (Denai) asks Aya Ueto (Haru) about a rare vegetable. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Nishida & Iron Chef’s Chairman Kaga

Samurai chef Dennai played by Toshiyuki Nishida is a 2-time Japan Academy Award winner with dozens of film titles to his credit. One of his most powerful performances was REUNION as a funeral director who dealt with the 2011 earthquake in the city of Kamaishi. REUNION was part of the Eiga Sai film festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang rila Plaza. Watch out for the line up of this fest in a week or so, which allows viewers to watch some of the best Japanese films for free. Here, Nishida is the sage chef that trying to impart his knowledge to an unwilling son.

Toshiyuki Nishida (Dennai Funaki) & wife Kimiko Yo (Mitsu Funaki). Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Toshiyuki Nishida (Dennai Funaki) & wife Kimiko Yo (Mitsu Funaki). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

International audiences will be delighted with the casting of Takeshi Kaga known more popularly as Chairman Kaga in (the original) IRON CHEF. For those who may not know it Takeshi Kaga is one of the more distinguished actors in Japan having lengthy roles not just in film but in theater namely musicals. You have to look closely as you may miss Kaga underneath the Samurai hair and costume. The film has banked on his fictional identity as a gourmet. He is cast here as powerful Lord Naomi Maeda who has taken over the domain that Dennai serves.

Takeshi Kaga is known more popularly as Chairman Kaga in Iron Chef. He is cast here as Lord Maeda. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Takeshi Kaga is known more popularly as Chairman Kaga in Iron Chef. He is cast here as Lord Maeda. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Aya Ueto (Haru) is able to melt hearts and stand her ground as well. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Aya Ueto (Haru) is able to melt hearts and stand her ground as well. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Aya Ueto

Haru Funaki as the central character had to be cast with someone who is obviously attractive to melt the hearts of audiences. She also had to be able to hold her own in a male dominated society, at least with her husband and role in her family.

from left: Aya Ueto (Haru) & Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki). Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

from left: Aya Ueto (Haru) & Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki). Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Japanese superstar Aya Ueto more than fulfills this demanding role. She does have that endearing quality and being her own woman, even in real life. Ueto has won several New Comer awards when she debuted as a film star a few years back. She actually started out as a singer early in her career. Filipinos may see a strong parallelism with our own Sarah Geronimo who was an accomplished singer first and then successfully has a film career. Sarah has endorsed huge brands such as Rexona from Unilever alone. Sarah was rumored to endorse Cream Silk (also from Unilever) but turned out to be Anne Curtis. Ueto has been proclaimed as Japan’s Commercial Queen for 5 different years. She’s statistically the most popularly used image for TVCs, billboards and print ads in Japan.

Aya Ueto & Sarah Geronimo both rose to fame, as a singer first then became a movie star. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Aya Ueto & Sarah Geronimo both rose to fame, as a singer first then became a movie star. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Her husband Yasonobu (in the film) called Haru a ‘Vixen’ out of spite. She wouldn’t hesitate to disagree with him and often even go so far as to disobey his wishes. For this he would call her Vixen to connote cunning. In Japanese mythology foxes take the shape of women to seduce men and sometimes marry them and have children with magical powers.

Wedding ceremony from left: Aya Ueto (Haru) & Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki). Watch this and many more films for free at the Eigai Sai Japanese Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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Freshness especially in seafood is highly prized in Japanese cuisine. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Freshness especially in seafood is highly prized in Japanese cuisine. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

left: Yui Natsukawa as Lady Shinnoyin. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

left: Yui Natsukawa as Lady Shinnoyin. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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Aya Ueto (Haru) prepares fish for sashimi. The proper slicing of fish affects the taste and brings out the best flavors of the fish. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Aya Ueto (Haru) prepares fish for sashimi. The proper slicing of fish affects the taste and brings out the best flavors of the fish. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) demonstrates master chef techniques. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Kengo Kora (Yasunobu Funaki) demonstrates master chef techniques. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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Aya Ueto (Haru) was supposed to be a privileged position of samurai’s wife but insisted on doing kitchen work. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Aya Ueto (Haru) was supposed to be a privileged position of samurai’s wife but insisted on doing kitchen work. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

One of the prepared courses in the banquet. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

One of the prepared courses in the banquet. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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Samurai had to hurdle tests before they can prove themselves worthy of cooking for their Lords. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Samurai had to hurdle tests before they can prove themselves worthy of cooking for their Lords. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

from left: Aya Ueto (Haru) & Riko Narumi (Sayo Imai). Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

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Aya Ueto (Haru) was supposed to be a privileged position of samurai’s wife but insisted on doing kitchen work. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Aya Ueto (Haru) was supposed to be in a privileged position of samurai’s wife but insisted on doing kitchen work. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , /

Funaki Kitchen. Watch A TALE OF SAMURAI COOKING: A TRUE LOVE STORY on Screen Red.

Funaki Kitchen. Watch this and many more Japanese films for free at the Eigai Sai Film festival running in Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza from July 9-19, 2015.

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Japanese film – Text and Photos by Jude Bautista

A Heartwarming Tale of Samurai Cooking