Kitchen (novel)

Kitchen is a novella by Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto, published in 1988. It is Yoshimoto's debut work and is considered one of her most significant and internationally recognized pieces. The novella explores themes of loss, grief, family (both traditional and found), and the healing power of food and home.

The story centers around Mikage Sakurai, a young woman who has lost her grandmother, her last remaining family member. She is taken in by Yuichi Tanabe, a young man she barely knows, and his transgender mother, Eriko. Together, they form an unconventional but deeply supportive family. Mikage finds solace and comfort in the kitchen, and cooking becomes a central element in her process of dealing with grief and finding her place in the world.

The novella is divided into two parts: "Kitchen" and "Moonlight Shadow." "Moonlight Shadow" is a separate short story included in the same volume that further explores themes of loss and the supernatural. While a distinct story, it shares stylistic and thematic similarities with "Kitchen."

Kitchen is known for its dreamlike atmosphere, minimalist prose, and its exploration of contemporary Japanese society. It has been translated into numerous languages and has been adapted into film twice, a Japanese television film in 1989 and a Japanese film in 1997.