Osen ep.02

July 19, 2008 | 8 Comments

This episode makes me want to make my own Miso but unfortunately I don't have the resources to do so. Speaking of Miso-making, the story doesn't really give much detail on how to mix the yeast, and what happened between picking the good beans and stomping on the beans. A few years ago, I lived for 3 months in the biggest Hatcho-Miso producing city in Japan and had the opportunity to visit the biggest Miso factory there. If I remember correctly, it takes at least 6 to 12 months (2 years for Hatcho-Miso) of storage before you can get the final product. In this episode, however, it seems it only takes a couple of hours, or at most - days, to produce a Miso paste, which is ridiculous. It was like one day Osen ran out of Miso and the next day, they already made a new one. The truth is, after the beans are crushed and fermented, the Miso mix should have been covered in a container and pressed using large stones. None of these process were shown in the episode.

Osen tells Tomekichi that they almost used up their Miso paste. Tomekichi seems proud that the Miso were made by him. Meanwhile, Yocchan bitches about how he has to clean a vegetable using a piece of cloth, wondering why he can't just use knife. According to Kenta, this is because Metal spoils the taste of vegetable. Yocchan doesn't believe this until Tomekichi comes over with a butcher knife telling him that the taste of vegetable is between the flesh and the skin so the best way to clean it is using a piece of cloth not knife. Shizu then appears and orders the guy to clean the floor but since this is a place where a mop is not available, he has to do it by hand. After bitching about how everyone orders him around even though he's a chef, Osen appears and asks him if he can make a tea since Shizu is out shopping. Later on, that scammer masquerading as art seller tries to sell Osen some kind of fug tray with painting that is apparently drawn using gold and drown in black lacquer. The scammer retaliates by telling Yocchan that the tea that he made tastes awful. Osen agrees and feels sorry for tea-san.

Later on, Yocchan continues to bitch about how he's the only one who's unfortunate since he has to work for 50,000 Yen per month. When the previous owner of the restaurant come to visit Osen, Yocchan decides to whinge about how he only gets paid 50,000 Yen and therefore he's not motivated to work there. The problem is, he feels that Osen doesn't know much about this so he asks her if she can talk to Osen. Much to his surprise, the old woman agrees. Meanwhile, Osen is busy soaking in the hot tub, feeling pleased that the alcohol is drained out of her. Her mother suddenly appears and tells her that is good to hear since a drunk tends to put too much salt in their cooking. Osen is surprised to see her mother come and even more so when she says that she's hungry. Osen and the staff immediately work overdrive to create something for Osen's mother. Yocchan wonders why everyone is so frantic to serve one old lady so one of the girls tell him that the previous owner has good taste in food and art. She's also good at judging people. Anyone that she approves of is bound to succeed in life.

During breakfast, the previous owner gives out criticism or approval to everyone and their effort. She then asks Osen why she orders Yocchan around for 50,000 Yen. She wonders since when this place turns into a place like this because she feels that they're overpaying a worthless guy like him. How embarrassing. Osen wonders how they can know if they're overpaying him or not. The previous owner tells her it's because this boy has no willingness to entertain guests. She thinks a man like that will never be of any use. Osen claims that she's now the one who's running the business so it's her decision. When her mother asks for the reason, Seiji quickly diverts the conversation, asking why the previous owner comes to the restaurant. Osen's mother tells them that it's because she wants them to help her making Miso. Upon hearing this, everyone has constipated look on their face, causing Osen's mother to realize that they're not too keen to do this. When Yocchan asks Kenta why everyone is not keen, Kenta explains that it's akin to climbing a mountain where it's all pain until you get to the top.

Since no one wants to do it, Osen decides that Yocchan will be the one to do it. This year's Miso will be Yocchan's. As a result, Yocchan ends up lugging a bunch of bags containing beans. Yocchan wonders why they don't take a car, proving that he's an idiot because they're walking inside shopping district where car clearly can't get in. Osen then decides to enter a shop to buy a straw sandal to make Miso. However, one of the bags that she carries is stuck onto a store's display. Because she's impatient, she ends up ripping the bag apart, spilling the beans out. In the end, the two make a fool of themselves as usual. That night, Osen is back serving customers, bringing out a fish cooked in Miso. A guy called Okamoto seems impressed with the Miso and as it turns out, he's also Yocchan's sempai when the two were in baseball team. When Okamoto asks Yocchan if he's working there, Yocchan begs him to find him a new job. Later on at the bar, Okamoto laughs when he finds out about Yocchan's situation but he's not surprised to know that Isshouan only pays 50,000 Yen/month.

Yocchan is not happy to hear this and wants a job that pays him well, that serve real foods that impresses gourmet lovers, and one that can get him girls. Okamoto thinks that Yocchan is still superficial as usual so in retaliation, Yocchan asks him if he'd like to trade jobs with him. Okamoto refuses but thinks making Miso would be fun. When Okamoto comes home, he finds out that there's a package sent by his grandmother. When his wife appears, he asks her why she didn't open the package and put the items in the fridge. The wife claims that she just came home and besides, it's his thing. She also suggests that he asks his grandmother to stop sending things. Meanwhile, Osen's mother is having a bitching session with Seiji about Yocchan being useless. As for Yocchan, he comes back drunk after spending 5000 Yen on alcohol. When he goes to the kitchen, he finds out that Osen is busy separating the good beans from bad ones. Yocchan thinks that Osen doesn't have to go that far but she tells him that if people who specializes in food doesn't care about it, then it's all over.

Upon hearing this, Yocchan decides to help Osen separating the good beans from the worm eaten and cracked ones. In the morning, Seiji and Shizu are surprised when they find out that Yocchan has peel all of the potatoes and polished the floor. Everyone is also weirded out when Yocchan is friendly with Osen. When Tomekichi is jealous of Yocchan, Kenta tells him that he should have volunteered himself to make the Miso. This stops Tomekichi trying to be a tough boy and upon realizes his mistake, he looks like a big girl who's about to cry, biting the sleeve of his shirt and all. Meanwhile, Yocchan off-handedly asks Osen what her boyfriend is like. This causes Osen to drop all of the bean she was picking in shock. Yocchan realizes that he's overstepping the boundaries and promises not to ask that question again. Eventually, however, she admits that his boyfriend once asked her if she can talk about anything other than food. Yocchan is surprised to hear this and can't believe that Osen is still thinking about that. This causes Osen to regret what she just said so she asks Yocchan to forget about it.

That morning the two finished sorting out the beans from the bad ones. Unknown to them, the scammer/art seller comes to the house and accidentally knock over the beans. Since he couldn't be bothered to fix them properly, he just dump them all into the bags. The next day, Osen's mother is unhappy upon finding out that there are bad beans in the good bags. Meanwhile, Yocchan is sleepy because he stayed up all night sorting out the beans so Seiji tells him to sleep. Unfortunately for him, Osen then comes and tells him that they have to re-sort the beans. Eventually they finish doing this so they have to wash the beans as well. Unfortunately for Yocchan, the water is cold because it's necessary in Miso-making, according to Osen. They can make it when the weather is warmer but then the Miso will go off easily, be too strong in taste and unhealthy to consume. Osen tells Yocchan that if that happens, she feels sorry for Miso-san. Yocchan is ticked off to hear this and tells Osen that she can feel sorry for inanimate objects but she doesn't seem to have compassion for him.

Yocchan points out that he hasn't sleep for 3 days. Osen tells him that if they slack off, they won't be able to make Miso. Yocchan tells her that in that case, they should ask Miso shop to make them. He doesn't love Miso o the point that he'd care about perfecting it so much. He tells Osen that no wonder her boyfriend said that she can't talk about anything other than food. Ouch. Osen is hurt to hear this but thanks Yocchan for telling her anyway. Yocchan regrets what he said but at the same time believes in it as well so he decides to leave her alone. Meanwhile, Okamoto wakes up and finds his wife busy having breakfast. He wonders why she couldn't make one for him as well but his wife tells him that she didn't know he'd want one. She, however, reminds him that they decide to split the work and expenses 50-50. Wait, are they really married because she acts like he's just loitering around in the house. Back in Isshouan, Tomekichi tells Kenta that Yocchan has quit again, causing the later to wonder if Yocchan is going to be okay and have enough money.

Much to Tomekichi's surprise, Osen looks really happy, causing him to think that she really wants Yocchan to leave all alone. Shizu, however, tells him and Kenta that the truth is Osen is really angry because Osen is actually tasting food with chopstick. Meanwhile, Yocchan finds himself unable to even sleep in capsule hotel (the cheapest hotel you can find in Tokyo) since he doesn't have 3,700 Yen. Thankfully for him, Okamoto calls him and asks if it's possible for outsider to be involved in Miso making. Yocchan uses the opportunity to tell Okamoto that he'd like to talk about it and stay at his house. Once at his home, Okamoto tries to invite his wife to have a drink with him and Yocchan but she refuses because he never want to get involved in her and her friends' activities either. Okamoto explains that his wife used to do her best, cooking for him, etc but he never came home. He knew she was pushing herself hard so he once told her that even though they're married, they shouldn't be tied down by their family and friends. They should take care their own affairs and split housework and bill 50-50.

However, he eventually realizes that if they do that, they're just two people living in the same house. There's no point in them being married. In the morning, Yocchan decides to be a wife for Okamoto by cooking him some meals. He, however, is not impressed by the Miso that Okamoto's grandmother sent him. Okamoto thinks it's because Yocchan is used to have good Miso made by Isshouan. Yocchan thinks it's anything but luxurious. All they have to do is to shave the bonito, make it into stock. Then they add in sliced radish plus the Miso that they've made by hand-picking the good beans one by one. Upon hearing this, Yocchan realizes why the Miso that Isshouan makes is so good. At the same time, the art seller decides to bring a present for Osen so her mother suspicious and wonders if he did something. Before he can say anything, Yocchan and Okamoto arrive or rather, Yocchan pushes Okamoto to apologize for him. Yocchan's situation is further complicated when Osen and Tomekichi come back home carrying 400 litres of yeast. Despite this, Tomekichi pretends that it's nothing heavy.

Osen and Tomekichi are surprised when they see Okamoto. Much to Yocchan's disappointment, however, Okamoto only ask Osen if he can join her Miso-making event. She agrees to let him help since they need help. With that, Isshouan starts their annual Miso-making. Osen tells the helpers that they should start by salting the dried koji rice. The reason that they salt it is because fermented koji rice is still uncooked and can turn bad. Adding salt will keep it fresh. Yocchan who observes from behind is unhappy since he's the one who sort the beans out. Much to his shock, Osen's mother tells him that she knows he thinks he's the one who should stand there. And everyone should have said that this year's Miso is good because of Yocchan. She told Yocchan that she actually asked Osen if she should redo the beans since everyone was tired. However, Osen wanted Yocchan to do it so that this year's Miso will be Yocchan. Osen was hoping that if Yocchan makes the Miso, he'd feel some kind of achievement and be happy about it. Therefore, he'd make others happy too.

Osen's mom also knows that Yocchan actually did the sorting correctly the first time around. Because of this, she gives him the straw sandal, telling him to join the Miso making. She believes Yocchan's strength is his ability to change his mind if something is good. With his thick skin, he won't lose to anyone. Meanwhile, Osen gives Okamoto straw sandals to stomp the Miso. She and everyone else explains that although they can do it faster using mixer, it's better to do this manually since you can get nice texture. With that said, everyone gets into their straw sandals and start to stomp on the beans while another person makes sure that they won't fall. In the midst of the process, Yocchan runs and claims that one of those Miso is his and jumps into the bucket. That is until he realizes that it contains hot water. *face palm* Later on, Yocchan tells Osen that he's happiest when he can drink her Miso soup. Even though he only get paid 50,000 Yen and have to stay up for 3 nights, and given stupid random job, he's happy if he can make a good Miso.

Because of this, he asks Osen if he can stomped on the Miso. Osen smiles and allows him since they are low on people this year. The other girls, however, gossip how Yocchan's speech was like a proposal. Okamoto seems impressed to see everyone getting along together, prompting the others to produce some embarrassing speech about how everyone gets along well. Okamoto then asks Osen to help him about something. When he gets home, he's busy wearing apron and tells his wife to wait in the kitchen table. His wife thinks he'll need a stock but as it turns out, Okamoto has a miso that doesn't need one. It seems Osen has taught him how to make Miso soup without a stock. First, he needs to heat up a thick pot with nothing on it. Then he needs to dilute the Miso in another pot. He then needs to put in the spring onions by cutting it like one sharpens a pencil. Then he needs to put the dilluted Miso into the hot pot. Osen assured him that it won't ruin the taste of the Miso and it'd mean that the Miso will taste good even without a stock.

Upon tasting the Miso, Okamoto's wife is surprised, wondering if the Miso soup doesn't contain anything else. A flashback shows Osen saying that of course one can't do this with Miso bought at a store but homemade MIso is an entirely different thing. It makes one want to do their best so that others will be happy as well. Just like in a relationship. In the aftermath, Okamoto tries to patch his relationship with his wife, by telling her that they should start doing things together. He believes that this is what the real 50-50 is about. He knows that his wife has been unhappy about the whole thing so he apologizes for it. The wife cries upon hearing this and tells him that they should thank his grandmother because the Miso is the taste of happiness. As for Yocchan, he tries to learn new things now by observing Shizu on how to make a good tea. Shizu suggests that he starts by being a good chef first but Yocchan wants to do this as well. Meanwhile, Osen apologizes to her mother about hiring Yocchan but her mother tells her to do what she feels the best after all, she's the proprietor of this place.

Impression

What did I learn from this? Maintaining a restaurant involves a lot of hard work. I thought I'll be annoyed with Yocchan but I think it's perfectly understandable that he'd feel tired and used at first. I mean, who'd stay up until morning to separate beans just so they can make awesome Miso? Well, someone who wants to make great Miso has to do it. Now that Yocchan knows how hard it is to run a good restaurant, he needs to ask this question: does he still want to be in the business or not? If he does, then he has to toughen up and accept the fact that this particular job sometimes involves staying up late just to separate beans to make good Miso. I know I won't do it and that's why I don't work at a restaurant or planning to open my own restaurant. I think everyone needs to know what their strength and interests are, and strive to get a job in a field relevant to those. Without both elements, I am sure your job will be extremely hard for you. Hell, I like design and there are times when I find it tough to get motivated. If I don't like the job and my strength does not correspond to the responsibility on hand (getting the design ready by deadline), then the job would be really hard to perform.

Moving along, we actually get to see some background on Osen here. It seems she was dumped by her boyfriend because she has no idea to talk about anything else other than food. It's understandable why Yocchan is frustrated. She talks about food like they're living, breathing creature that it borders on creepy and childish. Plus, while she treats foods like they are king, she doesn't seem to realize that humans do need proper rest so they can function properly. I wonder if she expects Yocchan/Ezaki to work right away in the morning after he finished separating the beans? Because if she does, that's just cold. No one can possibly function normally after a long night without sleep. At the very least she should have told the other staff that she lets Yocchan to sleep due to him working all night long. That's just basic human decency. Not to mention that while she only pays him 50,000 Yen, she goes insane buying stupid antiques from that scammer art seller. I'm all for buying artistic artworks but if you can afford buying something like that, you should also be able to afford paying your bill or in this case, paying your employee a decent salary. Anything else is just irresponsible.

Performance-wise, I think Aoi Yuu is a bit better in this episode. Having said that, sometimes Osen feels so removed from reality. It's hard to figure out her personality thanks to her cutesy mannerism. Also, at times she seems so simplistic, bordering on ditzy. Uchi Hiroki is less annoying too this time around. He manages to make Ezaki both annoying and understandable as well. I guess it helps that everyone else around him are equally obnoxious (including that wench aka Osen's mother) that I actually ended up feeling sorry for him. I'm still impressed with the way Mukai Osamu brings the role of Tomekichi. The only thing that works against him is his floppy haircut. If he's supposed to be a Yakuza-like character, he should have gotten a crew cut to support his role. Look at Eita (Last Friends) for example. He's willing to change his hair style and mannerism to fit the role that he's playing. In one role he looks like a Yuppie and in another role, he looks like a typical hairdresser. Still, it's hard not to laugh everytime Tomekichi is seen threatening Yocchan and Kenta.

© memento 2003