I knew An through director Naomi Kawase’s film version before I had the opportunity to read the original work by Durian Sukegawa.

But An is not a book about cuisine, although Japanese culinary culture – especially famous pastries – appears throughout the work from beginning to end.

On the road along the train line with scattered rows of cherries, there is a dorayaki bakery called Doraharu.

Is it necessary to go through all the suffering and bitterness in life to see life more tolerantly?

Since Mrs. Tokue appeared and taught Sentaro how to make red bean jam, the store has had more customers.

Since Mrs. Tokue appeared and taught Sentaro how to make red bean jam, the store has had more customers.

Since Mrs. Tokue appeared and taught Sentaro how to make red bean jam, the store has had more customers.

Since Mrs. Tokue appeared and taught Sentaro how to make red bean jam, the store has had more customers.

Since Mrs. Tokue appeared and taught Sentaro how to make red bean jam, the store has had more customers.

Tokue lives at a sanatorium for Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy.

The wall outside the sanatorium and the endless rows of trees have isolated the patient for decades, even a lifetime, from outside society.

People will never sympathize with a person if they have never lived that person’s life!

But Tokue has a very special thought about life: `If it weren’t for her, there wouldn’t have been a full moon that day.

An was adapted into a movie of the same name by director Naomi Kawase.

Tokue always puts her face very close to the red beans, she calls it `listening`.

Didn’t Sentaro decide to hire Tokue just because of the thought that `someone will be happy` when eating this dorayaki cake with red bean jam?

Durian Sukegawa’s real name is Tetsuya Sukegawa, is an author, poet, and musician.

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