[#CreativeAwardReview] This autumn, I will become a Kuriyam!

Caught in the magic of Shibako Akita, I will
become a Kuriyam this autumn.

If you see a Kuriyam—not a Hasoyam—making a fuss on note about how "delicious! it's delicious!" this autumn, please just ignore me.

The reason I became so obsessed with "Kurikinton" is because I read this work👇

Every time I received a notification that a new part of this work had been published, I felt myself turning chestnut-colored. That is how much this work emitted the aroma of piping hot chestnuts, tickling my nostrils throughout the entire serialization.

Now, if I keep writing only about things like this, it might seem like I've mistaken this for a gourmet novel, but that's not the case. While constantly enveloped in the scent of chestnuts, the story follows the protagonist, Satoko Miyanaga, as her life is led toward challenges and mysteries in her hometown. Please don't misunderstand.

Excellent novels are crafted with descriptions that make everything—characters, background, and food—feel as if they are right in front of you, no matter which angle you look at. The fact that I constantly felt the scent of chestnuts while reading this work is likely due to the brilliant writing style of the author, Shibako Akita.

Why can't a woman inherit a Japanese confectionery shop?
Why is the distance between a father and his son so great?
Can the human relationships in an old region never be broken?

The mysteries woven into the smooth prose continued to strike deep into my heart, and I looked forward to each update while harboring the contradictory feelings of wanting to read ahead and not wanting the final episode to arrive.

I have never been to Ena, nor have I ever seen the Japanese confectionery known as "Kurikinton" from this region. Nevertheless, when reading the novel, I was breathing in the land of Ena and could truly taste the texture of the Kurikinton in my mouth.

This autumn, I am sure to order the Kurikinton that Shibako Akita taught me about. When I taste it, I will think, "Ah, this flavor! I know it." After all, I have already been taught the taste by Shibako-san in "Chestnuts and Peonies."

Oh, and I'm sorry for talking only about Kurikinton. I also have a clear image of the "Peonies" in my mind. There is a miraculous possibility that a magnificent peony might be sold in my neighborhood as well. I will surely buy and keep eating whatever I think is the one. I can even imagine myself shaking my head, wondering, "Is this the right one?"

But I won't be disappointed. I can just take "Chestnuts and Peonies" in one hand, go to the land of Ena, and search for both. I am already dreaming of the supreme happiness I will feel when I imagine the moment I get my hands on a peony nerikiri made by a seasoned Japanese confectionery artisan. Just thinking about it makes my excitement unstoppable.

Behind the beautiful and delicate Japanese confections,lie the thoughts of families, producers, and customers who love the shop's flavors, as well as the unimaginable efforts of the artisans,is what Shibako Akita taught me. From now on, when I eat Japanese confections, while my mouth will break into a smile at how delicious they are, a part of my heart will surely feel dignified.

Shibako Akita-san, thank you for teaching me such important things.

For details on "Chestnuts and Peonies," please look here👇