Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Role / Field:

Pioneering Japanese short story writer, considered the 'father of the Japanese short story'.

Born:

1892-03-01

Died:

1927-07-24

Century / Era:

1892s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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. 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. His father served in the Boshin War and later founded a successful dairy business.

Career & Major Achievements

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 of Mori Ōgai and Natsume Sōseki. He entered the First Higher School without taking entrance exams thanks to his middle school academic record in 1910 and developed relationships with classmates such as Kan Kikuchi, Masao Kume, Yūzō Yamamoto, and Tsuchiya Bunmei, all of whom would later become authors.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He began writing after entering Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) in 1913, where he studied English literature. While still a student, he proposed marriage to a childhood friend, Yayoi Yoshida, but his adoptive family did not approve the union. In 1916 he became engaged to Fumi Tsukamoto, whom he married in 1918. They had three children: Hiroshi Akutagawa (1920–1981) was an actor, Takashi Akutagawa (1922–1945) was killed as a student draftee in Burma, and Yasushi Akutagawa (1925–1989) was a composer. Following graduation, Akutagawa taught briefly at the Naval Engineering School in Yokosuka, Kanagawa as an English language instructor, before deciding to devote his efforts to writing fulltime.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1892 (1892-03-01): Birth of Ryunosuke Akutagawa — Pioneering Japanese short story writer, considered the 'father of the Japanese short story'.
2. 1910: 1910 Milestone — He entered the First Higher School without taking entrance exams thanks to his middle school academic record in 1910 and developed relationships with classmates such as Kan Kikuchi, Masao Kume, Yūzō Yamamoto, and Tsuchiya Bunmei, all of whom would later become authors.
3. 1913: 1913 Milestone — He began writing after entering Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) in 1913, where he studied English literature.
4. 1916: 1916 Milestone — In 1916 he became engaged to Fumi Tsukamoto, whom he married in 1918.
5. 1920: 1920 Milestone — They had three children: Hiroshi Akutagawa (1920–1981) was an actor, Takashi Akutagawa (1922–1945) was killed as a student draftee in Burma, and Yasushi Akutagawa (1925–1989) was a composer.
6. 1927 (1927-07-24): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ryunosuke Akutagawa passed away on 1927-07-24, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ryunosuke Akutagawa

True or False: “Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's early literary success was immediately recognized by his peers, leading to widespread critical acclaim.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His initial major work, Rashōmon, was not well received by his friends, who greatly criticized it.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ryunosuke Akutagawa