BUTTER CHAPTERS 5-8
REIKO is one heck of a character. I can’t tell if she really likes RIKA or just has her around for crutch support. She always turns the attention to her. I like her character though as it adds a dynamic relationship between the two. What is up with all the talk about weight in asian culture?! The obsession with weight is crazy. REIKO discusses about how she can’t add on weight, but I feel like the girl isn’t eating much. RIKA is dope because she just eats up all the food that sparks up her curiosity. Wait this reminds me of a personal story actually about my family in the Philippines.
I remember when I visited my aunt and uncle in the Philippines. At the time, I haven’t been back over there in over a decade. When I first saw my uncle, I gave him a massive hug and the first words from his mouth were “oh wow, you gained weight” yea no shit, it’s been like 10 years of course i gained weight. The judgement in my family is rediculous for no reason. Imagine if i said “yea wow, you are old” or “dam, you all got fat” haha, they would be so upset haha. I’ll have to try that next time and see the response. So many people talk about RIKA and her weight. Leave her alone, let her eat!
What I admire about RIKA is her tenacity to keep her word and continue to have experiences based on KAJII’s recommendations. RIKA mentions that KAJII “refuses to suffer” when it comes to life, and never settling for the boring day to day life. Something eloquent about that. RIKA decides to have some ramen after a night of love with MAKOTO. “Salt butter ramen with harigane noodles and plenty of butter” at 2:45am.
Man, can you imagine if Washington, DC had a late night ramen spot that was open at 2:45am? There is nothing like going to a ramen shop at that hour. I miss Japan a lot. I can’t stop thinking about it actually. My experience there was unreal, I felt like I was in my world. I went to a ramen shop at 3am because I couldn’t sleep. I walked in and had a seat in a crowded room of about 10 people. Everyone at the ramen shop was there after a long night out. They were drinking and feeling a lil tipsy. A lil too tipsy. I made friends with a guy named MIKE, had sake with all the regulars, and it made a lasting impression on me. I was gifted a fan made of birch from Kyoto. I made many friends that night. MIKE mentioned to try one of his favorite spots to eat tonkatsu.
RIKA is relentless in the pursuit of understanding KAJII and her life. Traveling to her hometown and getting closer to KAJII’s intentions is next level. REIKO is a real friend traveling along to pretend to be a photographer. Having a camera can get you in a lot of places, it’s quite surprising what events and opportunities you can get into. Touring a dairy farm with AKIYAMA was important for the story and also to understand the production of milk. Butter comes from milk, there could be a connection here that could come up later in the story. There is so much about KAJII that is misunderstood, but the trip with REIKO and the experience allowed RIKA to somewhat level with KAJII.
I love the description of words and verbs instilled during meals throughout the book. It keeps me hungry for a similar experience, but I know it won’t be the same. The motions and visualizations in my brain for smells and taste just makes me want to grab some food that fill the soul. I’m about to do that right now actually, okay bye!