Lost In Translation

Camelback

I've read a couple reviews about Camelback located in Kamiyamacho near Yoyogi Park, so I decided to stop by last weekend. Artisanal sandwiches and great coffee, but only take-out and outdoor seating available. I got the bacon pepper sandwich, which was under ¥1000.

Battle of Chile (1) The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie

Director Patricio Guzman's epic Battle of Chile has been divided into three films, the first, Battle of Chile (1) The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie (1973) chronicles the political tension in Chile in 1973 and the violent counter revolution against the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. It uses documentary footage-mostly from TV crews that were man on the street interviews in the beginning as well as more widely seen footage of politicians and official speeches. It is a refreshing look into a specific time and place in which American intervention (some of which was covert) sent a country into chaos. It was not the first time nor would it be the last.

Dao Thai

I have to say that I was impressed by the atmosphere at Dao Thai, a small chain shop in Asagaya (there are other shops in Shibuya and Mozen Nakacho). It has that street stall aesthetic complete with plastic chairs and Thai pop on the stereo. The true test comes with the Kao Pao Gai (basil chicken rice) very tasty and reasonably priced at ¥780. This will be a regular stop.

A Far Cry From Kensington

Muriel Sparks short and sharp novels never disappoint, in A Far Cry From Kensington (1988) Spark takes on the publishing world. Mrs. Hawkins lives in a boarding house while working at a publishing house and is caught up in the lives of her fellow tenants and guesthouse landlord, Milly. The worlds collide in the end as a mysterious anonymous person threatens to report on the unlicensed seamstress and Polish refugee Wanda. It eventually drives her to suicide. Mrs. Hawkins solves the mystery in the end, but there are several events that move the story along before that. Throughout the novel Spark animates her characters with distinctive traits and speech, makes trenchant observations about the types in the publishing industry, all the while ruminating on religion and its role in the lives of her creations.

Matsudaya

There's an old school washoku (Japanese style food) restaurant, Mastudaya, down the street from Tonjo (Tokyo Woman's Christian University) in Nishi Ogikubo. I got the oyakodon (chicken and omelet) with hot soba noodles for ¥940. I think this might be a regular Friday occurrence.

Son Of Saul

At this time in history, one would think that everything that can be said, written, or depicted in a film about he holocaust has already been done so. However, Hungarian director Lazlo Nemes has come up with an engaging film, Son of Saul (2015) that has something new to add to the conversation. It is the story of a man, Saul (Géza Röhrig) who is on a single-minded mission to see his son (gassed in the chambers) given a proper Jewish burial using the black market economy to do so amongst completing his horrifying duties as a Sonderkommando, a Jewish inmate who works as slave labor in a death camp. The visual style of the film is innovative as well-most of the film is shot in medium close-up or extreme close-up, so there are often background or foreground events occurring out of focus that we can only partly apprehend. Therefore we are spared the blunt of the trauma that these workers were exposed to on a daily basis. For most of the film, cinematographer Mátyás Erdély remains tightly focused on the face of Saul. While in the process of getting his son buried a uprising (based on historical fact-the prisoners in several camps fought back). I don't want to give too much away, but the film is also said to have a controversial ending, but I felt it was appropriate. This is powerful and original cinema.

Asia's Cauldron

I was somewhat wary of Robert D. Kaplan's book, Asia's Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific (2014), since he has a habit of seeing the sky falling. However, I found the book informative, engaging, and interesting in the future scenarios that he has considered and analyzed in the South China Sea. He looks at Indian influenced ruins in Vietnam to contemplate the connectivity of Asian in the "Prologue: Ruins of Champa." "Chapter I: The Humanist Dilemma" looks at the seascape issue at hand in the near future and compares it to the old European model-which was land based. "Chapter II: China's Caribbean" draws a parallel of the South China Sea with that of the Greater Caribbean and its economic importance in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. "Chapter III: The Fate of Vietnam" addresses Vietnam's history and role in the South China Sea. In "Chapter IV: Concert of Civilizations?", Kaplan analyzes Malaysian society and finds much to admire about the Muslim society that had become similar to their Christian cohorts in terms of conspicuous consumption and the benevolent dictatorship of Mahthir bin Mohamad-the man largely responsible for the modern transformation of the country. If Kaplan begrudgingly extols the virtues of Mohamad, he is truly ga ga over Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew in "Chapter V: The Good Autocrat." Singapore is truly an amazing case study, and I find it interesting that the "autocrat/stick" version of his ruling came from his experiences under Japanese rule in WWII. They showed him that you need to use the stick in order to keep society in line. One of the most problematic countries (strategically and economically) in the region is the Philippines, and Kaplan gives that country a close look in "Chapter VI: America's Colonial Burden." Taiwan is discussed as "Asia's Berlin" in Chapter VII. In this chapter Kaplan reveals his admiration and re-evaluation of Chiang Kai-shek's legacy and influence in the region. "Chapter VIII: The State of Nature" is Kaplan summing up the conflicts in the region regards land/sea rights: the Pratas in the north, the Paracels in the northwest, and the Spratlys in the southeast. The "Epilogue: The Slums of Borneo" sums up Kaplan's concerns by looking at that community as opposed to the Vietnamese one he opened the book with. And he mainly states that he has ended up with more questions than answers about the region and what the future holds in store there.

Chukasoba JAC Koenji

Chukasoba JAC in Koenji is a Tokushima-style (a city and prefecture on Shikoku island) ramen that is served with stewed pork and a raw egg. A sign on the door said it was named the best ramen of 2013-2014. The deluxe bowl also comes with a soft boiled egg and extra pork for ¥900. It was my first time to try this style with a heavy, savory broth and it is very filing.

Horace And Pete

Horace And Pete is a one off series created by comedian Louis C.K. during the hiatus of his half hour show Louie. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and showed up on his website and was self-financed and written and directed by C.K. starring Steve Buscemi with a strong ensemble cast. The cast includes such heavyweights as Edie Falco, Aland Alda, and Jessica Lange along with several comedian cameos thrown in the mix. This show is billed as a tragedy and should be, but it has moments of levity. Overall, it is a pretty devastating portrait of the tragic lives of two men fated to suffer. I would go as far to say that it is probably not for everyone as there is a lot of non PC dialogue and uncomfortable confrontations-cringe drama if you will. However, I found it compulsive viewing.

Samurai Vendetta

Samurai Vendetta (1959) is a star vehicle for Raizo Ichikawa and Shintaro Katsu directed by Zatoichi stalwart Kazuo Mori. It is a complex story of revenge with some historical antecedents. In fact, one plot point hinges on the illegal kiling of a feral dog-killing any animal in this period was considered taboo and came with the penalty of death. Essentially Tenzo Tange (ichikawa) and Yasubei Nakayama (Katsu) become allies through mutual respect and by helping each other out and seek revenge against Tange's former sword school members who try to exact their own revenge when embarrassed by Tange in a fight. Of course there is a love interest in the mix with Maki Chitose as Chiharu, Tange's wife and the object of Nakayama's affection as well. Does this film have the first filmed duel fought in the snow? Several films havd used this trope since 1959 (most recently Taranitino in Kill Bill!).