Popular Japanese drama of young maiko in Kyoto

What exactly does the term “maiko” mean?

What exactly does the term “maiko” mean? Maiko is the term used to refer to youthful geiko, which is the Kyoto dialect of the word, geisha, which refers to the traditional entertainers of Japan.

The Makanai premieres on Netflix

On January 12, 2019, the world premiere of the brand-new Netflix series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House” took place. Many people who have seen advertisements for the show are curious about the meaning of the word “makanai.”

Hirokazu Kore-eda, the Japanese director best known for his work on Like Father, Like Son (2013) and Shoplifters, is responsible for writing and directing the series, which is based on a well-known manga (2018).

In preparation for the series, Kore-eda conducted extensive study on the maiko and geisha as well as “yakata”, the communal residences in Kyoto area where they all reside together.

He added, “I was really surprised by the way in which the girls at maiko houses call one other moms and sisters despite the fact that they do not really share any blood links.” “Their manner of living motivated me to reimagine this universe in cinematic form.”

The first episode of the brand-new series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House was made available on Netflix on January 12.

The show consists of nine episodes and follows the narrative of Kiyo, a northern Japanese girl who is sixteen years old and travels to Kyoto in order to become a maiko.

In contrast to Kiyo’s companion, who rises to fame as a singer, Kiyo is rejected as a candidate for the position of maiko but is hired as a cook at the yakata home where all of the geiko and maiko reside together.

What is the meaning of makanai?

Makanai is getting very popular in the US and elsewhere. And people often ask “What is a makanai in Japan?”  The word “makanai” can refer to either the person who prepares meals for residents of a boarding home or the meals themselves.

The series revolves heavily around food as a central theme. “I would be glad if the audience of this drama would discover the various aspects of food that can stimulate and soothe individuals,” the director Takuma Sato told Time.

They want to get people thinking about what they should make for dinner or what they should consume.

Kiroshi Okuyama, another director of the series, noted that they attempted to mimic Kiyo’s cooking style and the way that she selected the appropriate components.

The Makanai, a new show created by Hirokazu Kore-eda, debuted on Netflix today. According to the reviews, there is going to be a lot of slow-motion food preparation and domestic routines, which is OK with me.

Who plays the leading roles in The Makanai?

Nana Mori and Natsuki Deguchi play the roles of the two girls, while Aju Makita, who is most known for her part in True Mothers, takes on the character of Ryoko.

Kore-eda and Genki Kawamura were the ones responsible for producing the series, and Kore-eda worked not only as the showrunner but also as a writer and director.

Megumi Tsuno, Hiroshi Okuyama, and Takuma Sato are three upcoming directors that Kore-eda brought on board to co-write and direct particular episodes.