Yaji and Kita from the ukiyo-e "Mariko-yado" and "Mariko no Ki." Next to the serious scene, they pretend not to notice and enjoy grated yam soup!
Daily life at Mariko Inn on the Tokaido: Two people sipping grated yam soup without a care in the world
Yaji and Kita's frivolity and everyday life engraved in the adaptation
"Oh man, Mariko's grated yam soup is the best, Kita-san!" "You're absolutely right, Yaji-san, the consistency and smoothness! It really does blow away all the fatigue of your journey!"
...And so, today as always, the two of them are totally focused on eating. Just take a look at how they eat. Behind them, there are things like "mother and child separation," "dark fate," and "Mariko's tree's spirit" swirling around, but these two... they act completely ignorant!!
It truly is the "extreme north of everyday life."
What's on their minds is, "What should I have as my next palate cleanser?"
Passion and regret before the "watershed" of Utsunotani Pass
What's more, up ahead is the famous Utsunotani Pass. A watershed awaits, where the water divides and the fate of travelers is divided in two, yet the only thing the two are interested in is "How about some dumplings at the teahouse at the pass?"
As another traveler takes a step forward, ``resolved not to go back,'' another traveler says next to him, ``Oops, Yaji, you've got grated yam stuck to your beard,'' ``Oops, no good, this is fun too!'' and slowly swallows the weight of the watershed.
Turning your back on fate and simply savoring the deliciousness of "this moment." In a sense, this may be the best way to live...
The spirit of Mariko's tree is more tenacious than the stickiness of grated yam.
But just behind the slurping sound, the tips of Mariko's tree branches are still pointed sharply towards the mother and child.
That may be more stubborn than the stickiness of grated yam, the very regret of someone who has not been able to cross the ``watershed. ''
[Yaji-san, why don't we take a little detour?]
After filling up on grated yam soup, let's indulge in a tour of Suruga's spectacular scenery. Kakumaru's husband left this in the silent darkness: "Mariko Trees: Three Views of Suruga." It's not just the "Mariko Trees," but this landscape of Suruga's darkness and light... Why don't you take a moment to admire it?
→ [ Mariko Trees: A look at the three scenic views of Suruga ]
[Oops, anything more than this is "behind the scenes"...]
Why is that tree so twisted, and why are Yaji and Kita so oblivious? Read the story behind this production, engraved on a jet-black print. It tells of Kakumaru's husband's "intentions"...
→ [ Yajikita and Mariko no Ki: The inside story is here ]
©Mariko's Tree｜kakumaru7