1. An image discernment apparatus that discerns whether or not the gradation of an image, in which the entire image is in a dark tone, is appropriate, comprising: a count unit for counting the number of pixels, of which the gradation levels are smaller than a predefined first threshold value, from among pixels positioned in the periphery of the image; and a discernment unit for discerning an image to be of an appropriate gradation, even if the image is in a dark tone, if the number of pixels, as a result of the counting, is not less than a predefined second threshold value.