Takano Tofu: A Family Business
I’m Taiwanese-Canadian/American with a deep love of Japan so of course I love tofu. I grew up with it. So of course, when I saw the description of “Takano Tofu” movie on the plane I had to watch it. It’s a story about an aging father and daughter who run an exquisite tofu making business in a small port town of Onomichi. A literal tofu craftsman, making perfect tofu with pure ingredients in the traditional Japanese way.
It’s a great and classical tale. The traditionalist, idiosyncratic father who doesn’t want to change anything and the younger daughter who wants to try some new innovative takes on the product or new sales channels like selling their tofu in Tokyo.
There was a time in the movie where he ends up fighting with his daughter and she leaves the home. An old man’s stubbornness and pride gets in the way of happiness. I recognize that in myself. I recognize that in my daughter as well. He realizes he is wrong and he apologizes. It was touching.
The story goes deep into the art of making delicious tofu. Watching the process makes you want to eat it and also drink the soy bean milk they make. It’s what we used to drink for breakfast in Taiwan. So much better than milk.
“The tofu you make, it’s got a fine texture yet it’s soft…..a little sweet. It melts in your mouth as the bean flavor spreads….leaving just a hint of the beans essential astringency. Only you can make it. It’s the flavor of who you are.”
And the joy on the faces of those who eat the tofu. It reminds me of the look I see on people’s faces when he in all the various Japanese food movies: steak, cake, ramen, sushi. Joy and happiness. That is what great food does, it brings joy and happiness. Maybe that is why I love going to food paradises like Japan, Taiwan and Italy, as well as great food cities like Montreal, Vancouver, New York, LA and others.
I’d love to run a business with my daughter. I spend so little time with her and seeing her grow up to be this fine young brilliant lady is one of the greatest joys of my life. How great it would be to work on the business together. One day perhaps.
There is a great quote in the movie when the father is talking about surviving the war, “that was certainly a terrible thing but it’s not an excuse to be unhappy. We live on so we can look back and laugh. That was a great time and I was damn happy.”
The point of the movie is that you are never too old to try to find happiness. It’s good to have someone to live for. It’s good to have something to live for. Having someone who cares for you. We should all realize how fortunate we are to have family & friends.