Translator: Alison Watts
Published: February 2013
Pages: 216
Summary
Sentaro has failed. He has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. With only the blossoming of the cherry trees to mark the passing of time, he spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste.
Until, that is, Tokue comes into his life. An elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past, she makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. The unlikeliest of friendships blossoms, but it will take all of their resolve – and plenty of pancakes – to protect themselves when Tokue’s dark secret comes to light.
My thoughts
This is a gentle yet profound novel that dives into societal prejudice, aging, and the beauty of community and connection. It was one of those books I picked up because I liked the sound of it but what I got was something far more deep and personal.
“All experience adds up to a life lived as only you could. I feel sure the day will come when you can say: this is my life.”
Sukegawa sensitively addresses the historical behind Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in Japan whilst also addressing the social discrimination that those suffering with this disease faced. It was incredibly enlightening, I’ve never read about this before so I felt that I was learning through these characters. It inspired me to also look into this outside of the book and understand more. However, as much as it pained me to read parts of this story, the characters are so incredibly resilient it was very inspiring.
“I began to understand that we were born in order to see and listen to the world. And that’s all this world wants of us. It doesn’t matter that I was never a teacher or a member of the workforce, my life had meaning.”
There is so much unlikely friendships in this story and as our main characters navigate day to day life, we see the importance of empathy and patience. To have another person show a level of understanding is sometimes all a person needs. A friendly face and connection, someone on your side. Our characters batter down those societal barriers no matter the reactions they receive.
“Some lives are all too brief, while others are a continual struggle. I couldn’t help thinking that it was a brutal assessment of people’s lives to employ usefulness to society as a yardstick by which to measure their value.”
A lot of this story happens in the sweet shop making dorayaki. Through the descriptions of creating dorayaki I really appreciated the symbolism behind this meticulous process in the face of what our characters are dealing with. Striving and battling to find joy and purpose in one’s work. This is a celebration of a person’s dedication to mastering a craft and the satisfaction that comes from creating something with care and attention. Creating something with your own hands.
“I suppose that rumours must have spread about me, and you are probably still having a hard time as a result. If that’s the case, I made a mistake in not quitting sooner than I did. I try to live a blameless life, but am crushed at times by peoples’ lack of understanding. Sometimes you just have to use your wits. That’s something else I should have told you.”
Finishing this story I had a deep reflection on how flitting life is. It is so important to appreciate the small, everyday moments. Enjoy the wind in your face and the colour of the leaves. So often we get hung up on many things, I find that I compare myself to others, that I have set these silly expectations of myself in my own head and convinced myself others are viewing me against those. It is a nice reminded to take a breathe and just appreciate the things around you.
“She said that was the only way for us to live, to be like the poets.”
Sukegawa’s writing is simple yet elegant. The descriptions of the dorayaki made me hungry and the Japanese surroundings made me want to book a flight. I will one day get over there but in the meantime I will make do with fantastic authors like Sukegawa.
Would I recommend?
Yes, this was a book that has lingered in my mind with so many opportunities for reflection. I love taking something away from the books I read whether that is a quote, a memory or a piece of history. I really enjoyed this book and would pick up this authors work again.