The book with this bonus can be found here.
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Delve into the origins of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, Rashomon. Masterworks by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, now in a new English translation! Comes with 2 bonus YouTube audio videos!
As a token of appreciation for purchasing this book, we invite you to enjoy a special bonus: an AI-voiced audio narration of the complete stories “Rashomon” and “In a Grove.”
This collection features seven short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, including the titular “Rashomon” and “In a Grove,” which served as the primary inspiration for the internationally acclaimed film Rashomon (1950). Also included is “Thievery” (Chūtō), a story said to have influenced the film’s final scene.
Readers can also enjoy four other historical tales based on Japanese classical and medieval setsuwa (legends or anecdotes): “The Dragon,” “The Nose,” “Yam Gruel,” and “The Devil,” each showcasing Akutagawa’s unique ability to explore universal human frailties and poignant moments.
Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) is a master storyteller and a pivotal figure in modern Japanese literature. His works sharply, sometimes cynically, sometimes humorously, illuminate the depths of human psychology and the contradictions within society. Themes of egoism’s folly, the ambiguity of truth, the precariousness of morality in absurd situations, and the faint possibility of salvation amidst darkness resonate throughout his writing. His thematic concerns have sometimes drawn comparisons to Franz Kafka, captivating readers across generations.
His sensitive nature and worldview were said to be influenced by his upbringing, having been adopted by his uncle after his mother suffered from mental illness shortly after his birth. After confronting society with earnest intensity, Akutagawa tragically took his own life at the age of 35. However, the body of work left behind from his short life continues to shine brilliantly today.
Presented here in a new English translation by Yasubei Kera, we invite you to savor the world of Akutagawa’s literature. This collection is recommended not only for fans of Japanese literature but for any reader interested in stories that probe the essence of human nature and the meaning of truth.