Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
Pioneering Japanese short story writer, regarded as the 'father of the Japanese short story'.
Chronology: 1892-03-01 – 1927-07-24
Origins & Early Life
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (芥川 龍之介, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke; Japanese pronunciation: [ɾʲɯː.no.sɯ̥.ke], 1 March 1892 – 24 July 1927), art name Chōkōdō Shujin (澄江堂主人), was a Japanese writer active in the Taishō period in Japan. He is regarded as the "father of the Japanese short story", and Japan's premier literary award, the Akutagawa Prize, is named after him. He took his own life at the age of 35 through an overdose of barbital. == Early life == Ryūnosuke Akutagawa was born in Irifune, Kyōbashi, Tokyo City (present-day Akashi, Chūō, Tokyo), the eldest son of businessman Toshizō Niihara and his wife Fuku.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
His father served in the Boshin War and later founded a successful dairy business. His mother experienced mental illness shortly after his birth, so he was adopted and raised by his maternal uncle, Michiaki Akutagawa, from whom he received the Akutagawa family name. The Akutagawa lineage was part of the warrior class and served the Tokugawa clan as okubōzu, who managed the tearoom and served tea, the Akutagawas looked down upon Ryūnosuke's father as a "parvenu". Ryūnosuke's adoptive family enjoyed art. He was interested in classical Chinese literature from an early age, as well as in the works...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia