Takano Tofu (高野豆腐店の春)

A Mitsuhiro Mihara Film

A pre-Covid tale in a small port town near Hiroshima

Good morning

Best wishes for a good day

TAKANO TOFU

2 firm, 1 fried and a bottle of tofu milk will be 910 yen

Change from 1,000 yen...

- 90 yen in change - Thanks...

Haru-chan, why no fried tofu with cheese any more?

That?

- Dad says he doesn't like it - Why not? It was fantastic

Right? It was my idea

Why not, then?

Dad can't stand cheese

- That's the only reason? - Yes, I'm afraid so...

The damn fool. It'd sell for sure

Gotta up your game before they build the posh supermarket

Once that's done you'll struggle for customers

I guess we'll muddle along like we always have...

Takano Tofu Shop

That stubborn dad of yours doesn't make your life easy

Thank you for coming

Buddy, that sneeze means you're being talked about

Nothing good, I bet

What about Kanta chasing them young girls?

Lucky devil

I don't have the damn energy

Look at all these pills... Doc's upped my dose

- Like cheap candies when we were kids - That's well-put

They say prescription costs will go up

Seriously? Any higher and I can't keep up

How's your ticker these days?

Thank you for your help the other day

Everything's good now

I said you should be careful

That realtor who died... apparently it was a massive heart attack

But the funny part is...

he was mid-shag with some young thing

Perfect. I plan to do the same

Pardon?

Just kiddin', honey

But there's a big fight over the inheritance

No time wasted on tears, then

All our kids have somehow found partners

but if you kick the bucket your poor Haru will be all alone

- He's right - You're picking on me now?

Don't be too harsh, please

She's a beauty. The townsfolk were wondering who she'd remarry

Yet she still hasn't, eh?

Doesn't mean she's not going to

Many's the lad who's tried and failed to woo her

The Pharmacist's son then the Stationmaster's boy

then that dim-looking policeman

She's not the marrying-type, perhaps

Or maybe she's got a guy in secret

No worries on that score

How can you be so sure?

I asked her the other day. She laughed and said "No way!"

The rumor is you've forbidden her to remarry

She's too valuable an employee to give away as a bride

So he runs interference to keep her home

Hang on a second...

What did you just say?

I'd happily see her married off tomorrow

Really?

In that case, let me find the perfect guy for her

- I know lots of guys - Me, too...

You're a bunch of jerks

What's the matter?

I'm leaving

Don't be so thin-skinned

I didn't finish your hair

Seriously?

Guys... I'm spending New Year with my girl in Hawaii!

I don't give a damn if it's the North Pole!

It's a touchy subject

Oh, dear...

Haru, listen...

What?

Forget it

It's nothing...

What's the matter? If you've something to say, say it

I know what it is

It's about selling in Tokyo, right?

If you hate the idea, I won't keep pushing it

This is tasty

Hey...

That hairstyle... is it new?

Not really

Anything wrong with it?

Not if you like it...

We found an arterial narrowing right here

If we leave it, it may turn into a total blockage, which is dangerous

So it's closing up, is it?

Which means what?

It's life-threatening. We should operate

An operation?

We put a catheter in your wrist and open up the obstruction

It's not urgent, but sooner is best

Doctor...

Can't we just continue with meds and stuff?

If it was just the angina, medicine would work

But I also suspect an aneurysm

Which carries a risk of rupture

A ruptured aneurysm?

You dropped something

Thank you

Keep your spirits up

Anything wrong?

Nope, nothing especially...

Okay...

- A good guy? - You were saying you knew a few

- For sure - So I want you to make me a list

I'm on it

Setting Haru up on dates?

No, you fool, I meet 'em first

Counting on you

Are you mad?

Well, well... he's serious this time

Something must've got to him...

How may I help you?

What?

It's your restaurant buddy

My hands are full. I'll call him back

He says it's urgent

What a pain...

Sorry about this

Goddamn it...

Unlike you, my work keeps me busy

It's a go to find Haru a partner

Look... huh?

From Fukuyama to Hiroshima and everywhere in between

Whaddya think?

About what?

It's a good range of guys

Not even close

Whaddya mean, not even close?

I mean they ain't even close

Start from scratch

I'm leaving

Who the hell do you think you are?

This guy's still single, a banker, ex-Kyoto university

Pretty close to perfect...

Right?

No matter what he claims, he won't be happy with anyone

It can't be helped

Haru's happiness is in our hands

Widen our search to cover the province

- Takano-san, we appreciate your tofu - Thank you

The thing is, I'm being transferred

Oh, dear. After so long in the job...

In my place...

The name's Nishida

I was in womenswear so I'm still learning the ropes but

I hope to make a smooth transition with our suppliers

I look forward to working together

About the proposed Tokyo plan... if you could liaise with him

- Now look here - If I may...

We have a new strategy I'd like to review at some point

No need

My tofu ain't going anywhere near Tokyo

No way in hell

Gentlemen... bye, bye

He can stuff his "strategy planning" up his tiny ass

You forgot something

Sorry about that

It's you

You dropped your glove in the hospital

I picked it up

- The other day? - Yes

Thank you. That was kind of you

Angina and a newly-discovered blocked artery?

- What about you? - Me?

A faulty valve in my heart

I was in for a check-up on my pacemaker

There's no good reason to be in a hospital

So you're getting the operation?

Well, thinking about it but can't commit...

I guess I'm just a chicken at heart

Sooner's better than later

That doctor can seem cold but she's a great doctor

Your wife must be worried, too

My wife passed ages ago

It's just my daughter and I

I am sorry

- How insensitive of me - Not at all

Forgive me

Fumie-san, you're taking another break?

Back to work, right now

Is it advisable?

Doing physical work like this?

You've gotta use it 'til you lose it

Shall I get your cell number for our patient support group?

I don't really do cell phones...

If you object, that's fine. I meant nothing by it

It's not that, I just don't get mobiles... and whatnot

You don't have a smart-phone?

No, I do not

They're so useful

In my case...