dir. Takanori Tsujimoto
2013, Japan, 88 mins
Toramaru is the designated successor to Master Gensai, leading proponent of the Cosmic Way an all-round martial-arts discipline. As the finale to Master Gensai’s training regime, Toramaru has spent a year roaming throughout Japan pitting himself against various warriors in an attempt to learn the secrets of other, recognized martial arts. Master Gensai eagerly sits down to hear the story of Toramaru’s adventures, but the newly confident warrior takes his time relating his various encounters.
The basic principle of the Cosmic Way is “know the enemy by eating his food.” Toramaru tells his master of the Chinese dishes, ramen noodles and pot-stickers, that he relished before meeting his first opponent Yuen Jeng, Japan’s foremost kung-fu master. Toramaru continues telling of his experiences against masters of stick-fighting, nunchaku, Japanese sword, dagger and pistol, not forgetting to advise his master what he ate in preparation for the bouts. Toramaru’s eagerness to master his martial art and his respect for Bushi-do, the way of the warrior, shine through as he relates the valuable experiences he gained and the lessons he learned in his quest.
Meanwhile, hungry Master Gensai seems more interested in what Toramaru ate than who and how he fought. Toramaru’s fierce battle scenes are interspersed by clever and humorous conversation between the disciple and Master Gensai.