The Philosophy of a Tofu Maker: Finding Life’s True Flavor in Focus and Aftertaste

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Introduction: The Metaphor of Craftsmanship

Yasujirō Ozu likened himself to a "tofu maker," asserting that a tofu artisan could never cook tasty curry or fried pork cutlets. This metaphor cuts to the heart of modernity’s dilemma: in an age of endless choices, how does one resist distraction and master a singular craft? The Philosophy of a Tofu Makeroffers a timeless answer: focus creates legacy, and restraint breeds resonance

I. Focus: Anchoring in a Fluid World

Ozu directed 54 films, all exploring family dynamics—a consistency critics dismissed as "uninnovative." Yet he insisted: "You can’t ask a tofu maker to cook curry." This stubbornness birthed the "Ozu style," now revered globally. Modern pursuits of multitasking and trend-hopping often yield "rainbow tofu" — flashy but shallow. The book warns: without mastering basics, novelty becomes noise

II. Aftertaste: Preserving Depth in the Information Deluge

Rejecting dramatic climaxes, Ozu framed life through subdued exchanges ("Is that so? Yes, it is"). He believed sensational plots were mere "accidents," while true art lay in the "lingering aftertaste"

III. Truth: The Dual Lens of Mud and Lotus

"Lotus in the mud" encapsulates Ozu’s vision: roots in filth, blossoms in purity. He documented postwar Japan’s chaos without ignoring "humbly blooming lives"

Conclusion: The Enduring Echo of Craft

Ozu’s tombstone bears a single character: "Mu" (nothingness). Yet his legacy endures. As the world glorifies the "slash" lifestyle, the tofu maker whispers: "Less is more; depth over breadth." If modernity is a roaring river, focus is the riverbed—unmoved by currents, yet essential to their flow