The Zen Diary
This excellent movie is about an older Japanese widower living in the mountains who writes and cooks seasonal vegetarian foods based on old monk recipes and his experience growing up in a zen monastery.
Surrounded by gorgeous mountains and natural landscapes, he eats what the season and the earth provides at the time. Nothing is wasted. Learning from his dad and his old monk masters he says: “food was more delicious, it was from the resourcefulness of a poor man.”
He lives in zen. “Life becomes complicated when you anticipate the upcoming days. I should be content to live each day.”
“Living in the hills, working in the fields and cleaning the house, I learned through my body that movement is life. With the changing season there’s more to do in the field. Daily life involves physical labor and that makes you hungry. Hunger improves the taste of food.”
This movie is another example of beautiful Japanese food porn. “The food we eat comes from the soul of the earth and over time, the earth and tastes intertwine.” The exquisite food shown. Wow.
Japanese food is the absolute best and I think this is the case because of the care put into them. It’s not just the technique and freshness of the ingredients, even though these are amazing. The difference is the love, intensity and care of the cook. He prepares the food according to the old traditional ways.
“As zen master Dogen instructed in his writings, the monk in charge of cooking should rinse rice and prepare vegetables with his own hands at all times. Give your full attention to the ingredients and treat them carefully. Not neglecting them for a moment.
Be consistent and Immerse yourself in every process. Don’t see the preparation as an ordinary function.
Changing your heart or words depending on the situation won’t lead to enlightenment.”
The attention to detail, the care, this is why most people I know love Japanese food and why it’s so hard to replicate in other places. That unique mix of fresh unique ingredients, the technique of masters and the deep attention to detail in making the food that only really exists in Japan.
This mentality also carries to almost everything else the Japanese dominate in: crafts, service & hospitality and of course manufacturing. If you have never experienced Japan, I highly recommend it.