The literary era since 1979

"Nani!"

When Okuyama Jun saw Fangyan again, he was delighted and looked forward to writing a film script that would take Shochiku and Kadokawa Pictures to the next level.

What I never expected was that it was actually related to the undertaker!

You should know that in Japan there are three mysterious professions related to death. The first is the undertaker, the second is the "house cleaner", which means living in the haunted house for a long time to increase the "yang energy" of the house, and the last one is "picking up tuna".

But what are picked up here are not real fish, but specifically the body parts of suicide victims or corpses.

Because the meat of tuna is tender and similar to human flesh, the name "picking tuna" is used.

"Mr. Fangyan, why did you choose this topic?"

Kadokawa Haruki frowned, with a hint of discomfort in his tone.

"Whether it's the European Film Festival or the Oscars, the foreign-language films that make it to the shortlist either have a strong and unique local culture, or focus on social issues, humanistic care, the meaning of life and other fields." Fangyan explained directly, "Since you two want to promote Japanese films, it is natural that the films will include elements of Japanese culture. In my opinion, it is not limited to mono no aware, yugen, and wabi-sabi."

"So, what's the meaning behind 'Undertaker'?"

Ao Shanrong felt as if he had suddenly realized something.

"die."

According to dialect, Japan has a unique view on "death". It can even be said that the entire East Asian Confucian cultural circle has a deep understanding of the view of life and death. For example, in China, "life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor are in the hands of God", "death is the greatest", "rest in peace in the ground"...

Keiko Matsuzaka watched him talk incessantly, sometimes talking about China's attitude towards death, sometimes talking about Japan's emphasis on death, and he also casually quoted Japanese haiku about death, as well as words from novels by Yasunari Kawabata, Osamu Dazai and others.

"This world is like walking on hell, gazing at the flowers, only I am here, only I am here, the snow is falling."

"Death is the ultimate beauty. Death is equal to the rejection of all understanding. Life is not the opposite of death. Death lurks in life."

"........."

"Snapped!"

Aoshan Rong patted his thigh and said excitedly: "Mr. Fangyan, what you said is simply great."

Admiration flashed in Kadokawa Haruki's eyes, and he gradually began to understand Fangyan's original intention of writing:
"So you chose a career that deals with death."

"Yes, both China and Japan attach great importance to the ritual of death. They will invite monks to pray for the deceased, and invite undertakers and nanmu masters to handle funeral affairs." Fang Yan said, "We can take the opportunity to unveil the mystery of the profession of undertaker and convey the meaning of life, death, and profession to the audience through movies. Do you think such a work is not worthy of Oscar?"

Fangyan looked left and right and said, "Can't it shine at the Cannes, Berlin, or Venice Film Festivals?"

"Gulu."

Facing the pie he painted, everyone seemed to be able to smell the delicious aroma, and their eyes were filled with hunger and anticipation.

"Mr. Fangyan, what do you need us to do for you?"

Ao Shanrong said with a burning gaze.

"Since I want to create a script about 'undertaker', I must first understand the profession of 'undertaker' and collect all the information, especially first-hand information." Fang Yan said, "So I hope you can help me find an experienced and reputable 'undertaker' as a consultant."

"no problem!"

Haruki Kadokawa agreed readily.

Fang Yan said: "In addition to learning from the undertaker consultant, I also have to spend some time personally involved in funeral work, observing the internal operations of the entire industry and the entire process of the funeral ceremony, so that the entire script can appear solid and credible."

"Shochiku and Kadokawa Pictures can arrange this."

Ao Shanrong hesitated for a moment and kindly reminded: "But Fang Yanjun, have you really thought it through?"

Fang Yan asked in surprise: "Why did President Okuyama say that?"

"Because... ahem, if you want to observe and research the internal operations and funeral procedures of the entire embalmer industry, you will inevitably come into contact with corpses." Aoshan Rong opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopped, and finally said the word "unlucky".

Fangyan said with a firm look in his eyes: "My teacher once warned me that literary creation cannot be separated from observation. If you are afraid of this and that, and just rely on hearsay, how can you write a good realistic novel?"

"As expected of you, Mr. Fangyan!"

There was a little more respect in Kadokawa Haruki's tone.

Keiko Matsuzaka was even more moved, her eyes sparkling, and in front of everyone, she bravely held his hand and squeezed it.

Fang Yan winked at her and said in a low voice, "Don't be disgusted like the heroine in the script when the time comes."

Keiko Matsuzaka pouted and rolled her eyes, "What do you think!"

Fangyan patted the back of his hand. If he didn't find it offensive, he actually wouldn't mind playing a widow.avi.

………………

Okuyama Rong was very efficient and quickly helped Fangyan get in touch with an old man who was known as the "funeral god" in the field of morticians. His name was Zhuang Sidufu. He was about sixty years old, with a head full of white hair and black-framed glasses. He looked extremely serious, as if he wanted to keep people away from him.

But in fact, it is just the opposite. When facing dialects, he has a kind face and even a bit of unexpected enthusiasm.

"Fang Yan-san, it's an honor to have the opportunity to meet you."

"You're too kind."

Fangyan subconsciously stretched out his hand.

However, Zhuang Sidufu did not shake hands immediately, but bent down and greeted him with his head down.

Fangyan was startled by such a respectful bow and hurriedly gave him a light support.

"That's not necessary. In terms of age, you are my elder. Let's just shake hands as equals."

"No, no, no. We undertakers have been in contact with the bodies of the deceased for many years. Our hands are unclean and must not be contaminated..."

Jonsdorff shook his head repeatedly, his tone serious.

"I don't think so."

Fangyan waved his hands, but seeing that the old man stubbornly refused to shake hands, he had to give up and returned the gesture with the traditional Chinese bow.

John Stoff smiled and said, "At first, when I received the call and was told that Fang Yan-san was going to write a movie script for 'Departures' and invited me to be a movie consultant and provide advice, I thought it was a prank call."

"Hahaha, really!"

Fangyan was not used to sitting on tatami, so they decided to meet in a cafe.

"It made you laugh."

Johnston calmed down his excitement about meeting the great writer. "No, no, if I were you, I would also think it was a scam call."

Fangyan poured a few sugar cubes into the coffee.

"Yes, if the other party hadn't repeatedly emphasized on the phone that he was from Shochiku Corporation, I might have chosen to call the police directly."

Zhuang Sidufu exhaled, "Because it is really incredible that someone is willing to write a script for us undertakers and make a movie, and it is written by a famous writer like you. I once thought that I was dead when I answered the phone. These are just fantasies before death."

Fangyan asked: "Do you think it is impossible to make a movie about undertakers?"

"At least I never dared to hope for it."

Zhuang Sidufu said weakly, "Don't you think that being a mortician is a lowly and unlucky profession?"

"On the contrary, in my opinion, no matter what profession you are in, it's just a matter of division of labor, there is no distinction between high and low."

Fang Yan said seriously: "And I think that 'undertaker' is a sacred profession that deserves respect, because it bears the responsibility of connecting the two worlds of life and death."

"Do you really think so, Fangyan-san!?"

There was a gleam in Zhuang Sidufu's eyes, and he almost stood up from his chair.

"Otherwise, why would I write into the Undertaker's script? Why would I ask you to be my advisor and consultant for the script?"

Fangyan took a sip of coffee.

"With your words, I will definitely cooperate with your creation with all my strength."

Zhuang Sidufu solemnly promised to tell him everything he knew and to answer as many questions as possible from Fang Yan.

Fang Yan nodded and took out a notebook and pen. "So, shall we start now?"

Zhuang Sidufu restrained his smile and said, "No problem. I wonder what questions you plan to ask the undertaker?"

Fangyan asked: "First of all, what are the specific work steps of a mortician?"

Zhuang Siduofu cleared his throat and said, "Many people who don't know much about this industry always think that the job of an undertaker is probably just to make up the deceased. But in fact, it is far more than just simple makeup. It also includes cleaning the body, disinfecting and sterilizing, fixing the face, and choosing the right clothes for the deceased. And the whole process must be full of respect for the deceased... These are the essence of funeral etiquette."

“Why do you have to go to such lengths?”

Fangyan wrote it down on paper while raising new questions.

"Because we feel that with careful makeup and a decent farewell, the deceased can enter the reincarnation more smoothly."

Jonstedoff answered in detail.

The dialect continues to go deeper, focusing on how the undertaker makes up the deceased. After all, the most important plot in the entire movie "Departures" is to give the deceased a decent makeup. It is also these burials that allow the protagonist to let go of his grudge against the profession of undertaker.

Zhuang Siduofu said that the work of an undertaker requires high technical skills. They can even deal with burned bodies and restore them to their peak appearance, or restore bodies that have been crushed or swollen due to accidents to lifelike. In addition, according to the request of the family members, the undertaker will also perm and dye the bodies' hair, and even dress them in suits or wedding dresses, so that the family members can mourn the deceased in a more reassuring way.

"So that's it..."

Fangyan couldn't help but sigh.

"Many people don't know this and think that the high-paying job of undertaker is easy, so they apply for the job, but only a few can stick with it." Zhuang Sidufu took a sip of bitter black coffee, "Because this job is too heavy and too scary."

"It is precisely because of this that a movie called 'Departures' should be made to unveil its mystery."

Fang Yan said: "Let everyone re-examine and understand the meaning of this profession."

Zhuang Sidufu said sincerely, "So, Fangyan-san, on behalf of myself and my fellow undertakers, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you!"

Fangyan said, "Actually, I have one more thing to ask of you."

"Please go ahead," said Jonstatoff.

"That is, I need to follow and observe the entire work process of the undertaker so that I can have a more thorough understanding of funeral work."

"Of course you can, but are you sure you want to follow and observe, Fang Yan-san?"

"Any questions?"

"As I said before, this job as an undertaker is sometimes accompanied by horror, blood, and thriller."

Zhuang Siduofu told the truth that when people die, they are often accompanied by great pain, and the body may have a hideous face. In particular, undertakers sometimes encounter incomplete bodies with exposed organs, because people can clearly see that these are "parts" of the human body.

Fangyan pondered for a while, weighing the options in his mind, but finally made up his mind.

"The fear of corpses has always been rooted in human genes. Perhaps it is because in ancient times, when humans were not at the top of the food chain, encountering the remains of their own kind would trigger a danger warning, and they would instinctively become afraid and flee. But I believe that I can overcome this fear instinct."

"Since Fangyan-san has said so, why should I disagree?"

There was a little more respect in Zhuang Sidufu's eyes. No wonder the newspapers often spoke ill of the Japanese literary world. Look at what the Chinese literary masters did!

Fang Yan smiled and said, "Then I'll leave it to you."

"But I still want to remind you again."

Zhuang Sidufu said kindly: "If you feel uncomfortable at that time, you can tell me in advance."

"it is good!"

Fang Yan readily agreed and extended his hand to him again.

Zhuang Sidufu was stunned for a moment, and was deeply moved. He stood up suddenly, held his hands tightly with both hands, and bowed 90 degrees, saying:

"Fangyan-san, thank you!"

With the help of the undertaker who is comparable to a "funeral fairy", Fangyan's observation and research trip went very smoothly.

Surprisingly, China has the custom of "the first seven days after death", but I didn't expect that Japan also has the "first seven days after death" ceremony.

Moreover, this "first seven days" culture has a profound impact on the work of undertakers.

Under the belief in the "immortality of the soul", people generally believe that within seven days after the death of the deceased, his soul will return to the body and witness his own body. Therefore, in order to meet this custom, many Japanese businesses have even opened special "body hotels" to provide services to the deceased by charging accommodation fees. Therefore, Fangyan does not need to run around and waste a lot of time on unnecessary itineraries.

By observing the process of transportation from the morgue to the funeral home and even the entire ceremony many times, I was able to observe the deceased in various physical conditions, good or bad, and learn about this unfamiliar industry from the mouths of real practitioners, and at the same time I had different insights.

Not only do the dead need to be liberated, the living also need to break free from hell. The living have many hells.

The living need to save themselves from fire and water, just as the dead need to rest in peace. (End of this chapter)