第69話: Yamaokaがオフィスで元落語家のKissho Senkichiに牛すじ煮込みを振る舞う

69

When Yamaoka cooks up beef tendon in the office for a lost dog, the strong smell annoys the other staff. The owner, Kissho Senkichi, comes to claim the dog and Yamaoka recognizes him as a rakugo student. Kissho's father, rakugoka Fukufukutei Suekichi, sent him to study under Kairakutei Master Hassho. Kissho progressed well and when he became a star performer (真打, shin-uchi), he proposed to Hassho's daughter Keiko and also asked to be announced as the second generation Suekichi to follow his father. However, because of Kissho's popularity, he had developed a huge ego and had lost his edge. Hassho refused both requests and Kissho stormed out, but he was unable to work again as a rakugoka. Yamaoka invites Kissho to perform for the Touzai staff and he invites Keiko and Mr. Black who also a Hassho student. Yamaoka wants to serve a meal but must do it on a limited budget. His solution is to prepare stewed beef tendons (牛筋煮込み, Ushi-kin nikomi) which he cooked slowly over three days and flavored with sake (日本酒, nihonshu), ginger (生姜, shouga), soy sauce (醤油, Shouyu). He then presents the meat with green leafy vegetables and rice, which proves to be a popular hit. As Kissho prepares to perform, Yamaoka reveals that Master Hassho is in the audience. Following Kissho's successful performance, Hassho also tries the stew. He declares that as long as Kissho remains as humble as the meal, he will be the second generation Suekichi. (Source: Wikipedia)