Perfect Days. A film (movie) revealing a testimony to an enlightened way of life

A mindful masterpiece set in Tokyo

Set in Tokyo, the film Perfect Days expresses a testimony to a mindful, caring and sublime way of life, expressed through the modesty of a toilet cleaner, named Hirayama (played exquisitely by Japanese actor, Koji Yokusho, who received the Cannes best actor award).

Mindfulness practitioners, meditators and those reflecting on their experience of life can uncover inspiration, insights and profound pointers to an enlightened way of life, shorn of superficiality and any excess of desire.

In Japanese, Hirayama means Peaceful Mountain while the Pali language (the Buddha spoke Pali) offers a deep meaning. Hira means Splinters while Yama means Lord over Death. One who lives an enlightened life, is the Lord over Death and a splintered life.

Directed by veteran German film director, Wim Winders, Hirayama quietly engages in taking care of the public toilets in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. Nominated for an international Oscar, the film reveals to us the intensity of beauty in the most modest of lives. Meaning and purpose become clear through the power of conscious living devoted to detail.

We witness Hirayama waking up in his modest bedsitter in a poor district of Tokyo. He quietly rolls up his futon and bedding with a smile. After watering the plants, he opens the front door and greets the dawn before driving off in the council's small van to his place of work.

In one of many precious scenes, Hirayama stands outside the toilet waiting for a citizen to open the door and depart. Instead of getting irritated, the toilet cleaner turns around to look up at the sky to appreciate the trees and shadows, amidst the buzz of city life.

Audio of Review

The elegance of this film shows in the quiet power of living life consciously. I sat in the cinema appreciating the film’s capacity to reveal life as an art form, as a poem, amidst a low paid, apparently menial job, with fixed daily routines. I regularly had tears of joy in my eyes.

Hirayama is a man of few words. He has brief conversations with his co-worker, co-worker’s girlfriend, his wealthy sister, who visits him in her chauffeur driven car, and his niece. He cleans the toilets as if they were works of art, priceless sculptures.

Every scene reminds us of the power of a mindful life, our capacity to slow down and show care and interest in the most ordinary of things including cleaning the bathroom at home. Hirayama has a love of books and music, especially ballads and rock. Recorded in 1973, Perfect Day, written and sung by Lou Reed, acts as the opening song serving as a precious backdrop, a musical score and lyrics which enhance our appreciation of small incidents making up our daily life.

Hirayama understands the value of silence, solitude and random acts of kindness. Mindfulness contributes to the transformation of consciousness away from perceiving much of life as habitual and mundane with our latent tendency towards boredom and detachment. We can know authentic and nourishing experiences, the subtlety of humour and contact with enigmatic figures similar to the toilet cleaner. Such figures come into our lives for a few minutes and move out to make way for others later. In some respects, all human beings reveal an enigma about ourselves.

Last month, Perfect days had screenings in Dartington (The Barn cinema), three miles from Totnes (Devon, UK) and then in the small cinema (formerly the library) in Totnes High Street. Word about the Winders film got round the town (population 9200 residents) “You've got to see this film.”

By popular demand, the film returned this month to Totnes. This is Totnes where much exploration of a harmonious lifestyle and wellbeing takes place. As one of our local comedians commented in his show. “You will never be more than five metres away from an aromatherapist in Totnes.”

In one scene, Hirayama spends time with his young niece sharing a supportive friendship with mutual affection and respect. In another scene, the girlfriend of his co-worker gives him a spontaneous kiss on the cheek to express appreciation.

The power of few words leaves much to reflect upon. The toilet cleaner’s lifestyle shows a complete absence of interest in consumerism. The film, a meditation on daily life, offers Buddhist wisdom with its spiritual sensitivities running through it.

We remember to witness with wonder the harmony - trees, birds, sky, city life and the dream world. Buddhist monastics and thoughtful people would love Perfect Days, a film recognising the natural aliveness to daily life in the absence of problematic desires and neediness.

In the closing scene, Hirayama sits alone in his van driving to work. He is playing Nina Simone’s song ‘Feeling Good’ on his cassette player. His face focuses on driving while reflecting on another perfect day. A mindful masterpiece.

Five Star.

No. Six Star.

May all beings live mindful lives

May all beings love the ordinary

May all beings witness daily fulfilments of the human experience.