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Three Japanese Short Stories
'Oh the cruelty of time, that destroys all things!'
Beguiling, strange and hair-raising tales from early 20th century Japan: Nagai's Behind the Prison, Uno's Closet LLB and Akutagawa's deeply macabre General Kim.
Penguin Modern: fifty new books celebrating the pioneering spirit of the iconic Penguin Modern Classics series, with each one offering a concentrated hit of its contemporary, international flavour. Here are authors ranging from Kathy Acker to James Baldwin, Truman Capote to Stanislaw Lem and George Orwell to Shirley Jackson; essays radical and inspiring; poems moving and disturbing; stories surreal and fabulous; taking us from the deep South to modern Japan, New York's underground scene to the farthest reaches of outer space.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2018
99 people are currently reading
1907 people want to read
About the author
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
1,337 books2,137 followersAkutagawa Ryūnosuke (芥川 龍之介) was one of the first prewar Japanese writers to achieve a wide foreign readership, partly because of his technical virtuosity, partly because his work seemed to represent imaginative fiction as opposed to the mundane accounts of the I-novelists of the time, partly because of his brilliant joining of traditional material to a modern sensibility, and partly because of film director Kurosawa Akira's masterful adaptation of two of his short stories for the screen.
Akutagawa was born in the Kyōbashi district Tokyo as the eldest son of a dairy operator named Shinbara Toshizō and his wife Fuku. He was named "Ryūnosuke" ("Dragon Offshoot") because he was born in the Year of the Dragon, in the Month of the Dragon, on the Day of the Dragon, and at the Hour of the Dragon (8 a.m.). Seven months after Akutagawa's birth, his mother went insane and he was adopted by her older brother, taking the Akutagawa family name. Despite the shadow this experience cast over Akutagawa's life, he benefited from the traditional literary atmosphere of his uncle's home, located in what had been the "downtown" section of Edo.
At school Akutagawa was an outstanding student, excelling in the Chinese classics. He entered the First High School in 1910, striking up relationships with such classmates as Kikuchi Kan, Kume Masao, Yamamoto Yūzō, and Tsuchiya Bunmei. Immersing himself in Western literature, he increasingly came to look for meaning in art rather than in life. In 1913, he entered Tokyo Imperial University, majoring in English literature. The next year, Akutagawa and his former high school friends revived the journal Shinshichō (New Currents of Thought), publishing translations of William Butler Yeats and Anatole France along with original works of their own. Akutagawa published the story Rashōmon in the magazine Teikoku bungaku (Imperial Literature) in 1915. The story, which went largely unnoticed, grew out of the egoism Akutagawa confronted after experiencing disappointment in love. The same year, Akutagawa started going to the meetings held every Thursday at the house of Natsume Sōseki, and thereafter considered himself Sōseki's disciple.
The lapsed Shinshichō was revived yet again in 1916, and Sōseki lavished praise on Akutagawa's story Hana (The Nose) when it appeared in the first issue of that magazine. After graduating from Tokyo University, Akutagawa earned a reputation as a highly skilled stylist whose stories reinterpreted classical works and historical incidents from a distinctly modern standpoint. His overriding themes became the ugliness of human egoism and the value of art, themes that received expression in a number of brilliant, tightly organized short stories conventionally categorized as Edo-mono (stories set in the Edo period), ōchō-mono (stories set in the Heian period), Kirishitan-mono (stories dealing with premodern Christians in Japan), and kaika-mono (stories of the early Meiji period). The Edo-mono include Gesaku zanmai (A Life Devoted to Gesaku, 1917) and Kareno-shō (Gleanings from a Withered Field, 1918); the ōchō-mono are perhaps best represented by Jigoku hen (Hell Screen, 1918); the Kirishitan-mono include Hokōnin no shi (The Death of a Christian, 1918), and kaika-mono include Butōkai(The Ball, 1920).
Akutagawa married Tsukamoto Fumiko in 1918 and the following year left his post as English instructor at the naval academy in Yokosuka, becoming an employee of the Mainichi Shinbun. This period was a productive one, as has already been noted, and the success of stories like Mikan (Mandarin Oranges, 1919) and Aki (Autumn, 1920) prompted him to turn his attention increasingly to modern materials. This, along with the introspection occasioned by growing health and nervous problems, resulted in a series of autobiographically-based stories known as Yasukichi-mono, after the name of the main character. Works such as Daidōji Shinsuke no hansei(The Early Life of
Akutagawa was born in the Kyōbashi district Tokyo as the eldest son of a dairy operator named Shinbara Toshizō and his wife Fuku. He was named "Ryūnosuke" ("Dragon Offshoot") because he was born in the Year of the Dragon, in the Month of the Dragon, on the Day of the Dragon, and at the Hour of the Dragon (8 a.m.). Seven months after Akutagawa's birth, his mother went insane and he was adopted by her older brother, taking the Akutagawa family name. Despite the shadow this experience cast over Akutagawa's life, he benefited from the traditional literary atmosphere of his uncle's home, located in what had been the "downtown" section of Edo.
At school Akutagawa was an outstanding student, excelling in the Chinese classics. He entered the First High School in 1910, striking up relationships with such classmates as Kikuchi Kan, Kume Masao, Yamamoto Yūzō, and Tsuchiya Bunmei. Immersing himself in Western literature, he increasingly came to look for meaning in art rather than in life. In 1913, he entered Tokyo Imperial University, majoring in English literature. The next year, Akutagawa and his former high school friends revived the journal Shinshichō (New Currents of Thought), publishing translations of William Butler Yeats and Anatole France along with original works of their own. Akutagawa published the story Rashōmon in the magazine Teikoku bungaku (Imperial Literature) in 1915. The story, which went largely unnoticed, grew out of the egoism Akutagawa confronted after experiencing disappointment in love. The same year, Akutagawa started going to the meetings held every Thursday at the house of Natsume Sōseki, and thereafter considered himself Sōseki's disciple.
The lapsed Shinshichō was revived yet again in 1916, and Sōseki lavished praise on Akutagawa's story Hana (The Nose) when it appeared in the first issue of that magazine. After graduating from Tokyo University, Akutagawa earned a reputation as a highly skilled stylist whose stories reinterpreted classical works and historical incidents from a distinctly modern standpoint. His overriding themes became the ugliness of human egoism and the value of art, themes that received expression in a number of brilliant, tightly organized short stories conventionally categorized as Edo-mono (stories set in the Edo period), ōchō-mono (stories set in the Heian period), Kirishitan-mono (stories dealing with premodern Christians in Japan), and kaika-mono (stories of the early Meiji period). The Edo-mono include Gesaku zanmai (A Life Devoted to Gesaku, 1917) and Kareno-shō (Gleanings from a Withered Field, 1918); the ōchō-mono are perhaps best represented by Jigoku hen (Hell Screen, 1918); the Kirishitan-mono include Hokōnin no shi (The Death of a Christian, 1918), and kaika-mono include Butōkai(The Ball, 1920).
Akutagawa married Tsukamoto Fumiko in 1918 and the following year left his post as English instructor at the naval academy in Yokosuka, becoming an employee of the Mainichi Shinbun. This period was a productive one, as has already been noted, and the success of stories like Mikan (Mandarin Oranges, 1919) and Aki (Autumn, 1920) prompted him to turn his attention increasingly to modern materials. This, along with the introspection occasioned by growing health and nervous problems, resulted in a series of autobiographically-based stories known as Yasukichi-mono, after the name of the main character. Works such as Daidōji Shinsuke no hansei(The Early Life of
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
December 29, 2022
[3+] The first two stories, although very different - have a similar theme - privilege and indolence. If written today, they would probably be about young men hiding out in their rooms playing video games instead of engaging with the world.
The young man in the "Behind the Prison" returns home after an extended trip abroad and doesn't consider himself fit for any occupation. He hangs out in his room and contemplates the beauty of nature, the miserable condition of people on the streets and sulks. (3 stars)
The young man in "Closet LLB" has recently graduated from law school but prefers literature. He is a legend in his own mind. He is running out of money but isn't motivated to get a job and prefers observing passersby from his window and fantasizing about his vast capabilities. I really enjoyed this witty story. (4 stars)
"General Kim," about two Japanese generals, ended before it began. 2 stars
All three stories are translated by Jay Rubin, Murakami's main translator and were clear and easy to read.
Penguin Modern Classics
#1 - Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
#2 - Television Was a Baby Crawling Toward That Deathchamber by Allen Ginsberg
#3 - The Breakthrough by Daphne Du Maurier
#4 - The Custard Heart by Dorothy Parker
#5 - Three Japanese Short Stories (3 authors)
The young man in the "Behind the Prison" returns home after an extended trip abroad and doesn't consider himself fit for any occupation. He hangs out in his room and contemplates the beauty of nature, the miserable condition of people on the streets and sulks. (3 stars)
The young man in "Closet LLB" has recently graduated from law school but prefers literature. He is a legend in his own mind. He is running out of money but isn't motivated to get a job and prefers observing passersby from his window and fantasizing about his vast capabilities. I really enjoyed this witty story. (4 stars)
"General Kim," about two Japanese generals, ended before it began. 2 stars
All three stories are translated by Jay Rubin, Murakami's main translator and were clear and easy to read.
Penguin Modern Classics
#1 - Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.
#2 - Television Was a Baby Crawling Toward That Deathchamber by Allen Ginsberg
#3 - The Breakthrough by Daphne Du Maurier
#4 - The Custard Heart by Dorothy Parker
#5 - Three Japanese Short Stories (3 authors)
November 28, 2020
Second Review:
4.5-star
Interestingly, I still found rereading this three-tale booklet inspiring due to their wonderful writing style with unique narratives in terms of social settings, struggle and conflict in early twentieth-century Japan. For instance, we can realize after reading 'Closet LLB' by Uno Koji (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8D...) from which, I think, it has long reflected something futile on education and employment since some graduates still can't fulfill their potentiality or do anything worth his/her thought and action, say, in local community development.
As for Nagai Kafu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaf%C5%...), I've said something in my first review and I still admire his narrative and plot. It's a pity I read only one of his works as mentioned, I look forward to reading him more.
After reading the last tale 'General Kim' by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%A...), I think its impact definitely remains supreme we would find it rare in others since he proves his brilliant imagination, suspense and climax that signify his fame rightly regarded as ''father of the Japanese short story".
First Review:
3.5-star
Reluctant to write and post its review since late last month, I thought a reason might be my unfamiliarity with Uno Koji whose works I've never read while the other two are relatively familiar; the first being Nagai Kafu, who is brand-new to me and I'm reading his Geisha in Rivalry (Tuttle, 1963), the second being one of the highly-acclaimed and famous Japanese authors, Ryunosuke Akutagawa whose Rashoman and Seventeen Other Stories (Penguin, 2006) I enjoyed reading in April, 2010.
Recommended to fledgling newcomers as Japanophiles, these short stories would introduce them to the "Three beguiling, strange, funny and hair-raising tales of imprisonment, memory and atrocity from early twentieth-century Japan." (back cover) For example, I found this part in "Behind the Prison" amazing due to its descriptive power that reminds me of my childhood memories on being awaken from sleep at night in the midst of wild storm with heavy rainfalls sometime pounding off and on at the corrugated, galvanized-iron roof with fierce thunder both nearby and far away like a symphony over our house at night in rural Thailand some 60 years ago:
4.5-star
Interestingly, I still found rereading this three-tale booklet inspiring due to their wonderful writing style with unique narratives in terms of social settings, struggle and conflict in early twentieth-century Japan. For instance, we can realize after reading 'Closet LLB' by Uno Koji (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8D...) from which, I think, it has long reflected something futile on education and employment since some graduates still can't fulfill their potentiality or do anything worth his/her thought and action, say, in local community development.
As for Nagai Kafu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaf%C5%...), I've said something in my first review and I still admire his narrative and plot. It's a pity I read only one of his works as mentioned, I look forward to reading him more.
After reading the last tale 'General Kim' by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%A...), I think its impact definitely remains supreme we would find it rare in others since he proves his brilliant imagination, suspense and climax that signify his fame rightly regarded as ''father of the Japanese short story".
First Review:
3.5-star
Reluctant to write and post its review since late last month, I thought a reason might be my unfamiliarity with Uno Koji whose works I've never read while the other two are relatively familiar; the first being Nagai Kafu, who is brand-new to me and I'm reading his Geisha in Rivalry (Tuttle, 1963), the second being one of the highly-acclaimed and famous Japanese authors, Ryunosuke Akutagawa whose Rashoman and Seventeen Other Stories (Penguin, 2006) I enjoyed reading in April, 2010.
Recommended to fledgling newcomers as Japanophiles, these short stories would introduce them to the "Three beguiling, strange, funny and hair-raising tales of imprisonment, memory and atrocity from early twentieth-century Japan." (back cover) For example, I found this part in "Behind the Prison" amazing due to its descriptive power that reminds me of my childhood memories on being awaken from sleep at night in the midst of wild storm with heavy rainfalls sometime pounding off and on at the corrugated, galvanized-iron roof with fierce thunder both nearby and far away like a symphony over our house at night in rural Thailand some 60 years ago:
. . . , the sounds of the raindrops striking them varying from light to heavy depending on the thickness of their leaves. The shower symphony rises to a great crescendo with the rumbling bass drum of thunder that rolls through, to be followed by the gentle moderato of the green frogs' flutes and a final hush as sudden as the piece's opening. . . . (pp. 10-11)
August 10, 2025
جدای از اینکه خودِ داستانها پایینتر از سطح انتظارم بودن (حتی داستان آکوتاگاوا)، این کتاب حتی زیر دست وایراستار نرفته و واقعا روی اعصابم بود. غلطهای املایی و نگارشی فاجعه بود😭💔
January 5, 2023
classic japanese lit is always a treat
September 14, 2022
turns out i only like japanese lit when it's written by women
March 29, 2018
Behind the prison by Nagai Kafu is probably one of the most beautiful piece of prose I have ever read!!!
March 23, 2019
Despite its short length, this slim volume is packed with three short stories which are very different from one another, each one representative of a different aspect of Japanese literature at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
The first story, 'Behind the Prison' by Nagai Kafu, is a lyrical monologue written in the form of a letter the protagonist writes to his Excellency. The story is filled with beautiful descriptions of nature, as well as musings on the traditional culture of Japan and its being 'tainted' by the Western beliefs.
The second story, 'Closet LLB' by Uno Koji, recounts the tale of a man who loved literature and the arts but ended up studying law, only to discover that this profession is no more lucrative than his literary passion would have been, as he ends up living in a closet. The story is written in the very typical satyrical style of Uno, in the form of a fairy tale or fable, but with very realistic and not at all ideal situations. Although merely 18 pages long, this story manages to raise issues that still plague all of us, such as being stuck in a job that doesn't satisfy the individual and what a happy life constitutes of.
The third and final story is 'General Kim' by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, one of my favourite Japanese authors. This is the shortest of the three stories included in this volume, and yet I feel its message and impact is equally powerful. It recounts the story of General Kim, a Korean soldier, and how he ends up saving his country from the 'evil Japanese'. The story is told as a fable, as a piece taken from a mythology book, filled with fantastic elements such as decapitated bodies that still move, flying swords and all this nice stuff. At the very end, Akutagawa, with obvious irony, gives us his critique of such stories, claiming that history is filled with tales of triumph for the winners, however silly and laughable they might actually be.
Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. These stories might not be the best starting point for getting acquainted with these authors, but I think they were diverse enough to appeal to people of different tastes.
The first story, 'Behind the Prison' by Nagai Kafu, is a lyrical monologue written in the form of a letter the protagonist writes to his Excellency. The story is filled with beautiful descriptions of nature, as well as musings on the traditional culture of Japan and its being 'tainted' by the Western beliefs.
The second story, 'Closet LLB' by Uno Koji, recounts the tale of a man who loved literature and the arts but ended up studying law, only to discover that this profession is no more lucrative than his literary passion would have been, as he ends up living in a closet. The story is written in the very typical satyrical style of Uno, in the form of a fairy tale or fable, but with very realistic and not at all ideal situations. Although merely 18 pages long, this story manages to raise issues that still plague all of us, such as being stuck in a job that doesn't satisfy the individual and what a happy life constitutes of.
The third and final story is 'General Kim' by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, one of my favourite Japanese authors. This is the shortest of the three stories included in this volume, and yet I feel its message and impact is equally powerful. It recounts the story of General Kim, a Korean soldier, and how he ends up saving his country from the 'evil Japanese'. The story is told as a fable, as a piece taken from a mythology book, filled with fantastic elements such as decapitated bodies that still move, flying swords and all this nice stuff. At the very end, Akutagawa, with obvious irony, gives us his critique of such stories, claiming that history is filled with tales of triumph for the winners, however silly and laughable they might actually be.
Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. These stories might not be the best starting point for getting acquainted with these authors, but I think they were diverse enough to appeal to people of different tastes.
January 24, 2023
Interesting stories. The first two about spoilt young men. The first with no idea of what he will do with his life after returning from Europe. The second about a young man who fantasies about how great he could be in many professions. He is a fantasist who lacks perseverance.
The last story about the death of a Japanese general by a Korean soldier. It is all exaggerated with a supernatural element.
The last story about the death of a Japanese general by a Korean soldier. It is all exaggerated with a supernatural element.
November 14, 2021
Video Review (YouTube)
Oof, bit of a miss for me. 3*, 2*, 1*, for me respectively. Review coming soon.
Oof, bit of a miss for me. 3*, 2*, 1*, for me respectively. Review coming soon.
March 14, 2018
Heroes have always been monsters who crushed sentimentalism underfoot.
Behind the Prison: ★★★★★
Lethally sharp satire whetted against uncomfortably relatable truths. Behind the Prison is at once uproarious and unapologetically pessimistic.
"No, nothing in this world is as oppressive and debilitating as blood ties."
"For her I would gladly ferry across the Sumida on the coldest winter day to buy her those sakura-mochi sweets from old Edo that she loved so much. But medicine? Not even on the warmest day would I want to go buy her medicine."
Closet LLB: ★★★★★
The most personally terrifying of the three. Like Otsukotsu Sansaku, I had "embraced the unshakeable goal of becoming a novelist" as a child, and I, too, steep myself in literature while I have supposedly settled into (and here is the most obvious difference) medicine. Thankfully, studying medicine was my own choice, and I hope to become something of a Paul Kalanithi or Atul Gawande. But my goodness, may I never be reduced to a Sansaku!
"How much fun are you getting out of life?"
General Kim: ★★★★
This last story fits the blurb best: "beguiling, strange, funny, and hair-raising". A delightfully surreal parody of Patriotism with a capital P to round it all off.
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Overall, these new Penguin Moderns are great bite-sized tasters for new authors and unfamiliar cultures. I have been making an effort to read more non-English literature, and these have been amazing for that!
August 14, 2021
(3/50 penguin modern, #5)
very much loved “behind the prison” by kafū nagai and “closet llb” by uno koji, but “general kim” by akutagawa ryunosuke not so much. it is the shortest, and regrettably so, for it needed at least a few more pages to be regarded as memorable. terrific reading experience though 3.5/5
“on occasion, a few remaining leaves will suddenly flutter down from a tree. this unexpected stirring of the air is like the deep sigh of some mysterious creature. when that happens, every single leaf in the garden—from the evergreens’ lush needles to the clumps of chrysanthemums among the stones—resounds with an inexpressible sorrow and then, a moment later, reverts to silence. atop the smooth moss: the wagtails again, the chrysanthemum blossoms, the bonsai’s crimson foliage. ah, the light of a dream, the thin overcast of departing autumn.”
very much loved “behind the prison” by kafū nagai and “closet llb” by uno koji, but “general kim” by akutagawa ryunosuke not so much. it is the shortest, and regrettably so, for it needed at least a few more pages to be regarded as memorable. terrific reading experience though 3.5/5
“on occasion, a few remaining leaves will suddenly flutter down from a tree. this unexpected stirring of the air is like the deep sigh of some mysterious creature. when that happens, every single leaf in the garden—from the evergreens’ lush needles to the clumps of chrysanthemums among the stones—resounds with an inexpressible sorrow and then, a moment later, reverts to silence. atop the smooth moss: the wagtails again, the chrysanthemum blossoms, the bonsai’s crimson foliage. ah, the light of a dream, the thin overcast of departing autumn.”
March 23, 2025
“no matter what i see, even the most beautiful flower, i wonder if it is blooming only to make us think of the sadness to come when it has withered and died. the delightful intoxication of love, i can only believe, exists to give us a taste of the sadness to come after parting. and surely the autumn sunlight shines this beautifully in order to tell us, ‘know ye that the sadness of winter will be here tomorrow.’”
[behind the prison - kafū nagai]
[behind the prison - kafū nagai]
July 1, 2025
unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. The first story I enjoyed as I liked the tone and meaning behind it. The others I just couldn't connect with. fell flat to me sadly. The writing style seemed off to me. I felt like it would be better in its original language. If only I could read Japanese!
December 19, 2019
If you’re into how brooding privileged intellectuals narrate their lives then this should be a blast!
December 25, 2019
A fine opportunity is presented to read 3 short stories by accomplished Japanese authors.
The first story is fascinating because it speaks of the culture and a western thinking reader will learn a good deal about honour and status. Like a prodigal son without the means to fulfil their potential.
The self awareness of the returning boy is painful; but the descriptive narrative marks out this stories worth.
The second story is also about unfulfilled potential despite having the academic skills to succeed. Our protagonist is sidetracked by dreams of writing for a living. Even when a rich relative steps in to help the lad, indifference and lack of perseverance thwarts any financial assistance. He has earned a poor degree in law doing the least amount of work and learns little of practical value to enter the profession. Not that this is his desire - he wants to write fairy tales.
He dreams his life away; talks a good future in his sleep but had no direction to walk the walk when awake.
The third story is very short and is a cautionary tale in a country’s pride and patriotism - this is the hardest one to equate with one’s usual reading experience.
It is always good to push literary ideas and leave the familiar behind. Japan has a rich heritage in writing this small book make that closer and more accessible.
The first story is fascinating because it speaks of the culture and a western thinking reader will learn a good deal about honour and status. Like a prodigal son without the means to fulfil their potential.
The self awareness of the returning boy is painful; but the descriptive narrative marks out this stories worth.
The second story is also about unfulfilled potential despite having the academic skills to succeed. Our protagonist is sidetracked by dreams of writing for a living. Even when a rich relative steps in to help the lad, indifference and lack of perseverance thwarts any financial assistance. He has earned a poor degree in law doing the least amount of work and learns little of practical value to enter the profession. Not that this is his desire - he wants to write fairy tales.
He dreams his life away; talks a good future in his sleep but had no direction to walk the walk when awake.
The third story is very short and is a cautionary tale in a country’s pride and patriotism - this is the hardest one to equate with one’s usual reading experience.
It is always good to push literary ideas and leave the familiar behind. Japan has a rich heritage in writing this small book make that closer and more accessible.
July 20, 2018
Membaca Kafū Nagai dan Kōji Uno mengingatkan saya tentang perasaan sewaktu membaca Natsume Sōseki. Kisah klasik kontemporari Jepun berkisar hal harian, budaya setempat, masyarakat dan keluarga. Watak utama di dua kisah ini juga punya latar hampir sama--lelaki muda yang masih keliru dengan arah hidup, impian dan kemahuan. Seakan membaca diari dan keluhan harian, tapi dalam ritma yang santai. Tulisan Ryūnosuke Akutagawa pula berkisar hal perang dan pemerintahan. Ia berlegar di antara hal permusuhan dan perebutan kuasa. Ada adegan lawan dan main pedang. Penceritaan dan bahasa yang bagus-- tertarik sekali dengan gaya penulisan Akutagawa.
Kumpulan fiksyen pendek yang agak menarik dalam gabungan memori di awal abad ke-20.
Kumpulan fiksyen pendek yang agak menarik dalam gabungan memori di awal abad ke-20.
September 21, 2021
"oh the cruelty of time, that destroys all things!"
September 4, 2024
not for me
November 13, 2025
Перші дві історії клас; особливо та що від Кафу доволі смішна (по-японськи). Обидві розповідають про молодих людей трохи відірваних від реальності та бажання якось взаємодіяти з навколишнім світом. А може вони просто лінуються?
Третє - оповідання Акутаґави - найкоротше й мабуть найгірше з усих. Історичний нарис, який я одразу ж і забув.
Третє - оповідання Акутаґави - найкоротше й мабуть найгірше з усих. Історичний нарис, який я одразу ж і забув.
June 9, 2024
I have been a huge fan of the short stories of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa ever since I read a brief and ingenious fable of his called 'Sennin' in The Book of Fantasy edited by Borges. That was many years ago. Since then, I always pounce when I see a volume that contains one of his tales. This was the reason why I purchased this little book.
The Akutagawa story it features is every bit as excellent as I had hoped. But the real surprise for me was how good the other two stories were, both by writers I had never heard of, Nagai Kafu and Uno Koji. Now I want to seek out more of their work. I am also looking forward to the forthcoming Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories of which this book is a sampler.
The Akutagawa story it features is every bit as excellent as I had hoped. But the real surprise for me was how good the other two stories were, both by writers I had never heard of, Nagai Kafu and Uno Koji. Now I want to seek out more of their work. I am also looking forward to the forthcoming Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories of which this book is a sampler.
February 14, 2023
The first short story in this collection is by far my favourite - beautiful and eloquent with vivid descriptions, telling the tale of a young man who isolâtes himself in his father’s estate behind a prison as he cannot bare the pressures of the real world. Particular resonant with me in this was the melancholy feelings described as the seasons pass. The second story is more humorous, and more of a cautionary tale, but with similar underlying themes of societal expectations on Japanese young men in the early 20th century. The third is the shortest by far and I would guess is influenced by the rise of nationalism at the time. Very nice all round!
July 11, 2018
So... the sad, depressing caricatures of early- to mid-20th century Japanese in this book are waaaaaaay too much like me - especially Closet LLB. Dang. It makes me want to take a long, hard look at myself... and then, in Closet LLB fashion, do nothing about it.
Japanese literature: simultaneously makes me really happy and really sad.
Japanese literature: simultaneously makes me really happy and really sad.
May 26, 2022
"Oh, patriots, set your minds at ease. As long as you can make a yellow man like me believe in the white man's Yellow Peril, you should feel free to go on cursing your wives, oppresing your children and giving three cheers for the empire with glasses held high."
August 22, 2018
3.5*
Behind the prison: 3/5
Closet LLB: 4/5
General Kim: 3/5
“Life is not much fun, is it, Madam? “
Behind the prison: 3/5
Closet LLB: 4/5
General Kim: 3/5
“Life is not much fun, is it, Madam? “
March 21, 2022
An anthology of three short stories from three different authors. One of the reasons why I was very excited for this book was the short story from Akutagawa, and honestly it did not disappoint.
The three Japanese short stories for this volume had two similar stories about finding yourself and the last story about how history is perceived by different nations of people. My separate ratings for each stories in the volume and the short summary are as follows:
Behind The Prison by Kagai Nafu
Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟
Behind The Prison tells the story of a young man who in search of himself. His writing was undoubtedly beautiful, poetic and has a deep sense of reflection towards his country and especially himself. Issues of social commentaries and the livelihoods of the people of the time was one that I enjoyed reading. Even though a classic, his writing is straightforward and very eloquent.
I would say its a read that is very atmospheric. I enjoyed it! Would like to read more of his works.
Closet LLB by Uno Koji
Personal Ratings : 3.25🌟
Closet LLB tells the story of a man who is in search of himself. Its interesting how he often downgrades others in order to lift himself up. In some sense, the story is realistic in a way that a lot of people puts up as a coping mechanism in living in denial rather than having a sense of reality in life. I like how the author simply states how this young man is trying to find meaning in his life, but in a way that makes him insufferable to everyone else.
Such is life that it is hard and filled with hardship but in a way, the author depicts how most humans does this without thinking, in order to hurt ourselves, we downgrade others. Quite interesting, with very straightforward writing.
General Kim by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
One of the most short, shocking and super gripping stories I've read. Even in just the span of 15-20 pages, I was hooked. I've always wanted to read Akutagawa's story and boy it did not disappoint. I would say it opened new doors for me and the way I CRAVE more of his works is unreal. The story was so wild and gripping but it also shows how Akutagawa had a sense in his works and writings.
General Kim is somewhat a nonsensical story in the takes of critizing people's perspective of their own history. I loved the prose, the weird and absurd things that had happened in the book, and mostly, I loved how the writing had gripped me from the very first line.
Will definitely read more of Akutagawa's works because I am definitely CRAVING for it!
Overall
I would say this is my first book that I've read and owned from this edition and it did not dissapoint. The stories here are a classic from big literature authors from the past with their stories still being told today. I would say if you're a beginner to asian literature and would like to dive into how it works, this book is definitely for you!
The three Japanese short stories for this volume had two similar stories about finding yourself and the last story about how history is perceived by different nations of people. My separate ratings for each stories in the volume and the short summary are as follows:
Behind The Prison by Kagai Nafu
Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟
Behind The Prison tells the story of a young man who in search of himself. His writing was undoubtedly beautiful, poetic and has a deep sense of reflection towards his country and especially himself. Issues of social commentaries and the livelihoods of the people of the time was one that I enjoyed reading. Even though a classic, his writing is straightforward and very eloquent.
"I feel as if I am camped alone on a magnificent plain beneath an endless sky, waiting an eternity for the dawn to break, but when I open my eyes the dim lamp on my desk reveals that I am actually lying beneath a low board ceiling that might come crashing down at any moment, my body confined by suffocating colourless walls and blank sliding paper doors."
I would say its a read that is very atmospheric. I enjoyed it! Would like to read more of his works.
Closet LLB by Uno Koji
Personal Ratings : 3.25🌟
Closet LLB tells the story of a man who is in search of himself. Its interesting how he often downgrades others in order to lift himself up. In some sense, the story is realistic in a way that a lot of people puts up as a coping mechanism in living in denial rather than having a sense of reality in life. I like how the author simply states how this young man is trying to find meaning in his life, but in a way that makes him insufferable to everyone else.
"To him, everything was 'stupid', everything was 'boring', everything he saw and heard filled him with displeasure and sometimes even anger."
Such is life that it is hard and filled with hardship but in a way, the author depicts how most humans does this without thinking, in order to hurt ourselves, we downgrade others. Quite interesting, with very straightforward writing.
General Kim by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
One of the most short, shocking and super gripping stories I've read. Even in just the span of 15-20 pages, I was hooked. I've always wanted to read Akutagawa's story and boy it did not disappoint. I would say it opened new doors for me and the way I CRAVE more of his works is unreal. The story was so wild and gripping but it also shows how Akutagawa had a sense in his works and writings.
General Kim is somewhat a nonsensical story in the takes of critizing people's perspective of their own history. I loved the prose, the weird and absurd things that had happened in the book, and mostly, I loved how the writing had gripped me from the very first line.
"To any nation's people, their history is glorious."
Will definitely read more of Akutagawa's works because I am definitely CRAVING for it!
Overall
I would say this is my first book that I've read and owned from this edition and it did not dissapoint. The stories here are a classic from big literature authors from the past with their stories still being told today. I would say if you're a beginner to asian literature and would like to dive into how it works, this book is definitely for you!
October 14, 2022
Nagai Kafu's Behind the Prison was a snoozefest and has either been withered by time or translation. I get what he was trying to achieve but I wonder how much of his beautiful prose has been lost in translation because that's pretty much what the story hinges on.
Koji Uno's Closet LLB is fantastic and feels as if it could have been written today. While his work was considered flippant and popular in the early days that has only made it more approachable a century on. If you added a cat and a well to Closet LLB you could easily be fooled into thinking it was a Murakami. Another interesting element is that the characters early life is actually a mirror of Uno's own.
Thematically the first two stories are so similar. One wonders why they decided to veer off course with the third. Maybe they felt they couldn't leave out the godfather of Japanese short story.
Interestingly, Uno wrote quite a definitive biography on the final story teller Akutagawa.
Akutagawa is known as the father of the Japanese short story and in all of the 5 pages of his General Kim he clearly shows why. Where Kafu's work seems to have decayed over time, Atugawa's feels timeless. It's decidedly unjapanese to recognise weakness or hypocrisy in their own national approach to anything, this story must have been quite scandalous when it was published. I would love to know how General Kim was received in Akutagawa's time, maybe I should read the biography.
Koji Uno's Closet LLB is fantastic and feels as if it could have been written today. While his work was considered flippant and popular in the early days that has only made it more approachable a century on. If you added a cat and a well to Closet LLB you could easily be fooled into thinking it was a Murakami. Another interesting element is that the characters early life is actually a mirror of Uno's own.
Thematically the first two stories are so similar. One wonders why they decided to veer off course with the third. Maybe they felt they couldn't leave out the godfather of Japanese short story.
Interestingly, Uno wrote quite a definitive biography on the final story teller Akutagawa.
Akutagawa is known as the father of the Japanese short story and in all of the 5 pages of his General Kim he clearly shows why. Where Kafu's work seems to have decayed over time, Atugawa's feels timeless. It's decidedly unjapanese to recognise weakness or hypocrisy in their own national approach to anything, this story must have been quite scandalous when it was published. I would love to know how General Kim was received in Akutagawa's time, maybe I should read the biography.
February 1, 2020
“Oh, but once one has returned to the land of one’s birth - there is no place more constricting - ones surroundings no longer permit such freedom, and one can no longer simply transcend the demands of social position.”
- from Behind The Prison by Nagai Kafū, translated by Jay Rubin
#januaryinjapan 🇯🇵 // I hadn’t realised till I picked this up that the three stories in this pocket modern classic were taken from (forthcoming at the time) the Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories, which I also have a copy of. So if you too own a copy of the latter, you don’t need this one. If you don’t, this is a perfect little book that you can tuck into for a little dose of Japanese lit.
The stories included are all written by authors who are long dead, but the stories of a Japan gone by are lively and memorable, from that of the return of the prodigal, seemingly unfilial son to that of a lazy literal closet law graduate, to a wuxia-esque tale of old Japan reminding us of the skewing of history in favour of the viewpoint of the one writing it. I enjoyed reading all of these, my thanks to the translator Jay Rubin for bringing these works to an English-speaking audience.
FYI the stories included are:
* Behind The Prison (Nagai Kafū)
* Closet LLB (Uno Kōji)
* General Kim (Akutagawa Ryūnosuke)
- from Behind The Prison by Nagai Kafū, translated by Jay Rubin
#januaryinjapan 🇯🇵 // I hadn’t realised till I picked this up that the three stories in this pocket modern classic were taken from (forthcoming at the time) the Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories, which I also have a copy of. So if you too own a copy of the latter, you don’t need this one. If you don’t, this is a perfect little book that you can tuck into for a little dose of Japanese lit.
The stories included are all written by authors who are long dead, but the stories of a Japan gone by are lively and memorable, from that of the return of the prodigal, seemingly unfilial son to that of a lazy literal closet law graduate, to a wuxia-esque tale of old Japan reminding us of the skewing of history in favour of the viewpoint of the one writing it. I enjoyed reading all of these, my thanks to the translator Jay Rubin for bringing these works to an English-speaking audience.
FYI the stories included are:
* Behind The Prison (Nagai Kafū)
* Closet LLB (Uno Kōji)
* General Kim (Akutagawa Ryūnosuke)
March 1, 2019
“No matter what I see, even the most beautiful flower, I wonder if it’s blooming only to make us think of the sadness to come when it has withered and died. The delightful intoxication of love, I can only believe, exists to give us a taste of the sadness to come after parting. And surely the autumn sunlight shines this beautifully in order to tell us, ‘know ye that the sadness of winter will be here tomorrow.’”
My favorite quote from the book. Really enjoyed the three stories, but especially “Behind the Prison” story.
My favorite quote from the book. Really enjoyed the three stories, but especially “Behind the Prison” story.
December 28, 2019
this was an enjoyable little book!
Behind the Prison was filled with beautiful descriptions. Closet LLB was strangely humorous and ironic. but General Kim was my least favorite, as it felt too short to really convey anything. I liked the fantasy aspects in it, though.
overall, a good collection to be acquainted with this older kind of japanese literature
Behind the Prison was filled with beautiful descriptions. Closet LLB was strangely humorous and ironic. but General Kim was my least favorite, as it felt too short to really convey anything. I liked the fantasy aspects in it, though.
overall, a good collection to be acquainted with this older kind of japanese literature
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