Early Access: The Makanai E1, E2

E1. The minute that I saw this show's trailer (here!), I was intrigued and wanted to watch it; it felt like Show would be a window into a whole new world.

Now, one episode in, I have to say that I like it, but at the same time, I do feel like I'm floundering somewhat, to get my bearings in this world, because there are just so many things that are new to me.

Full disclosure, I took Japanese lessons for two years, back when I was in school, and I did live in Japan for a year or so, when I was 9, but I wouldn't say that I have much of an understanding of the language and culture, to guide me through my watch.

And, because there are quite a few terms that are left untranslated in the subs, I found myself floundering somewhat, during my watch of this episode.

Good subs are so important, aren't they?

However, this problem of feeling out at sea, wasn't something that Google couldn't solve, and so, I went and consulted Google, and found out a few important things:

1. Maiko are trainee geishas.

2. The reason that Surime and Kiyo go to Kyoto, is because Kyoto is the only prefecture in Japan that has a maiko culture. In Kyoto, geishas are referred to as geiko.

3. While I'd thought that Surime and Kiyo were really young to be moving prefectures on their own, they are actually the typical age for girls to start maiko training.

4. Geishas are very highly respected in Japan, and it's not surprising that young girls would aspire to become geishas.

5. Maiko live in a maiko house (known as a yakata), and geishas live in their own homes, within various geisha districts. That's why Surime and Kiyo start their training at a maiko house.

6.. Also, geishas in different districts specialize in different dances and other art forms, so it's a very rich and intricate culture, where no geisha actually knows all of the dance forms, for example.

7. There are distinctive differences between the way a maiko dresses vs. how a geisha dresses.

Although the differences might not be immediately apparent to those of us who are new to this culture, once you acquaint yourself with the differences (check out this article for a great overview), they become easy to spot.

8. I had been wondering about the men who help the maikos and geishas dress, this episode, and apparently, geishas always need the help of a dresser, because the geisha kimono is heavy and intricate and it's basically impossible for a geisha to dress herself.

9. The phrase "makanai" refers to both the cook and the meal served in a boarding house, which is why the phrase is used interchangeably.

Pretty fascinating stuff - at least, to me. 😁

You might also like to check out these articles (here and here) for more information.

As for our story itself, I have to say, apart from the fascination that immediately overcomes me regarding the world of maiko, and geisha, and everything around them, I'm also very taken with Kiyo, our protagonist, and our titular makanai.

There's something very sweet and likable about her, that really shines through, I feel.

She's gentle, cheerful and good-spirited, and just seems to have such a wholesome, childlike innocence about her. I like her a lot, right away.

She's so warm and gurgly, and I just love her positive energy. 🥰

I also really like the friendship between Surime and Kiyo.

We aren't told a lot about their friendship just yet, but the fact that they're traveling to Kyoto together, to train as maiko together, gives me the idea that they are very close.

I'm also getting the idea that Surime might be more passionate about training as a maiko, than Kiyo, because she's basically defying her father's wishes, in order to pursue this path.

Kiyo, on the other hand, just has this very amiable air about her, and doesn't seem to mind training as a maiko, as long as she and Surime can be together.

Also, after my consultation with Google on the skills of a geisha, and the strict training it requires, to reach that level of mastery, I can immediately see that there's a mismatch between Kiyo's maiko dreams, and her natural abilities.

I do love, though, that even though the training is hard, and she's not making the kind of progress that's expected of her, it seems like nothing can get our Kiyo down.

I mean, after she gets taken aside to be reprimanded for her lack of progress, she cheerfully and guilelessly tells Surime about how their master asks for Japanese pepper if it's udon and black shichimi (a Japanese 7-flavor spice mix) for soba noodles.

There's just something very earnest and hardworking about Kiyo that I really, really like. She's basically like a pure and innocent cinnamon roll, that should be protected at all costs. 🥰

E2. This episode, Kiyo gets told that she's not cut out to be maiko, and while I feel bad for her, I have to agree with the master's conclusion, that the demands of being a maiko, just don't suit Kiyo's strengths.

And, even though Surime is very upset at the idea of Kiyo not getting to train as a maiko anymore, I have to agree with Ryoko, that it would actually be more cruel, to try to keep her in the maiko training program, knowing that she would only get scolded all the time, while struggling to keep up.

How telling, really, that Kiyo's first reaction, when she's told that she doesn't need to go to lessons anymore, and can think about returning to Aomori to find a job, or go to high school, is to be worried that she won't be able to keep her promise to be with Surime forever and always.

This is the biggest indication, I feel, that the maiko dream is more Surime's than Kiyo's, and that Kiyo is there more for the friendship and loyalty, than for any particular maiko dreams of her own.

I'm so glad that Kiyo finds her niche so quickly, after being told that she's been let go from the program.

At first, my instinct was to think that Kiyo could do better than being a makanai, and that she could go back to school, and gain more options that way.

However, taking into account the fact that Surime brings up, that Kiyo's always been slower than her peers, I've changed my mind, and now think that it's actually a blessing that she's found a niche where she can play to her strengths, and really shine.

Because, if she'd gone back to school, she'd still have struggled to keep up, and if she'd then gone on to more traditionally recognized "successful" professions, it's more than likely that she would have struggled, too.

It's far better, I think, for her to find her niche early, and start to build a strong foundation in it, so that beyond shining naturally at what she's good at, she also builds a mastery that commands respect.

Honestly, I do love watching Kiyo cook.

The quiet joy that I feel from her, as she prepares food, feels so wonderfully pure and wholesome, and I feel like that would naturally infuse into her food, so that her food is also pure and wholesome, like her.

Simple, but special. 🥰

The way Kiyo goes up to that shrine to get that talisman for the kitchen, which will now be under her purview, demonstrates her simple tenacity, which Surime talks about.

Even though the various maiko in the house think that she'd be too scared of the dark, and would give up very quickly, Kiyo not only makes it, but also, makes some friends while she's at it.

Already, I take that as a sign that she's just made for this. 🤩

As Takeshi says, as he eats the rice ball that she gives him, Kiyo's got a gift in her hands, and I can't wait to see her grow into that gift, with the acknowledgement of everyone else, at the maiko house.

Next episode notes will be out on: Tuesday, 24 January 2023!