A still from ‘The Maknai: Cooking for the Miku House’
In the first few lines of his International Booker Prize-winning novel, sand tomb, “Once you get women and the border, the story can write itself,” writes Gitanjali Shri. The same can be said for the stories on our screens. A great television show can make itself once you get a chance to explore the women and their friendships.
In his Netflix show, Maknai: Cooking for the Mako House, Hirokazu Kore-eda tells the story of a budding friendship between two teenagers. However, by also applying the lens to other female characters at different stages of their lives, Kore-Ada broadens the scope of the show to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships women form with each other.
On a particularly snowy day, Kyo (Nana Mori) and his best friend Samir (Natsuki Deguchi) board a bus from their small town of Omori to Kyoto, where they want to train to become maikos. . A miko can be described as a jaco, an apprentice in training. While Sameer quickly acquires the skills required to become a miko (which includes everything from playing instruments, dancing and even arranging flowers), Kiyo sticks out among the rest of her peers. Slightly less delicate in her dancing, and more outgoing than shy, Kyo is soon told that she lacks the desire to become a miko. Viewers and Q himself later realize that he is not beyond learning the intricacies, just that his talent lies elsewhere. After one night when Kyu comes to cook for the residents, she is immediately named ‘Makanai’, the cook for the miko house.
Maknai: Cooking for the Miku House (Japanese)
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast: Nana Mori, Natsuki Deguchi, Takako Tokiwa, I Hashimoto, Mio Matsuoka, and others.
Episodes: 9
Story: Best friends Samir and Kyo move from their small town of Omori to Kyoto to train to become mikos. However, Kyo soon finds out that maybe he doesn’t mean Miku.
Wrapping up the whole affair in the second episode, the rest of the nine-episode show takes a light-hearted approach to life.
Along with his focus on the friendship between Kiyo and Sumire, Kore-eda also weaves other characters into his story. As Samir begins her training as a Miku, and Kyo takes on her role as a Maknai, other aspects of this particular way of life come to light. Viewers get a glimpse into life as a Miku, where you’re not allowed to use a cell phone, can’t go to the convenience store because of the way you do your hair, and have designated areas to keep makeup. The size of food must be eaten. The final step in becoming a mako (or jako) involves donning a delicately designed kimono, complimented by traditional hair and distinctive make-up. A miko’s professional life is a performance—an art that is put on—so Kore-eda’s decision to spend more time behind the art pays off.
A still from ‘The Maknai: Cooking for the Miku House’
We see the miko trainees snuggled up in their pajamas, eating food prepared by Q, and bemoaning the hairstyles that get in the way of a good night’s sleep. In subsequent episodes, Samir is assigned to train under Momoko (Ai Hashimoto), a jocko who is at the peak of her profession and contemplating future moves. Meanwhile, Yoshino (Mayo Matsuoka), a former gekko who left after getting married, returns to Maiko’s house to try a second time. By presenting these women at different points in their miko journeys, Kore-eda allows these characters to explore beyond their profession.
A number of individual stories of different mikos are presented through a shared story shared by Sameer and Q as they enjoy eating. Between the baked sweet potatoes they share with Omori in their back seat, and the Karaage chicken that Kyu prepares for Samir the night before their debut, their friendship grows stronger than the two have ever had. So it becomes a source of peace away from home. As they both fit into roles more suited to their inner selves, they come to the conclusion that being a miko was always more of Sameer’s dream, which Kiyo comes to and finally finds her own individual path.
I Maknai, Kore-eda presents us with many stories of maiko household women in Kyoto, and the way these women, at various points in their lives, make new beginnings and embrace old friendships. However, one important aspect of this life remains largely absent from the show, and is barely touched upon. While interacting and performing with an audience of mostly men, the difficult times these women and young people are going through training as mikos are barely mentioned. When 16-year-old Sameer’s father expresses concern about him being part of a job that involves serving alcohol, he is quickly dispelled by the promise that this particular maco house will provide this service. does not offer Although Kore-eda wanted to create a show that focused more on personal aspects, a more serious discussion about the safety and well-being of young women would give the show a more grounded impact.
Through slow episodes, cooked all year round in Maknai’s home and served warmly while sharing a peeled orange with your grandmother, Kore-Ada provides a cozy watch about women’s companionship. does.
Maknai: Cooking for Maknai House is currently streaming on Netflix.
