Ryūnosuke Akutagawa was a Japanese literary titan and the “father of the Japanese short story,” whose brilliance and inner turmoil shaped modern literature and led to a tragic end at just 35.
1. Early Years & Family Hardship
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Real Name: Ryūnosuke Niihara
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Date of Birth: 1 March 1892
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Birth Place: Kyōbashi, Tokyo, Empire of Japan
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Father: Toshizō Niihara (a dairy farmer)
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Mother: Fuku Niihara, who suffered from mental illness and died when Ryūnosuke was 10
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Soon after his birth, his mother became mentally ill; he was adopted by his maternal uncle, Michiaki Akutagawa, and took his surname
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Plagued by fear, he inherited his mother’s condition, Ryūnosuke grew up anxious and introspective.
2. Education & Literary Awakening
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Attended First High School (from 1910), forging bonds with fellow future authors.
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Enrolled at Tokyo Imperial University (1913–1917), studying English literature.
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Co-founded the literary journal Shinshichō in 1914, translating Yeats and France, and began publishing original stories.
3. Literary Career: Ups & Downs
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1915–1916: Published his early works, including Rashōmon (1915) and The Nose (Hana, 1916); the latter earned praise from mentor Natsume Sōseki.
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Post-University: Briefly taught English at Naval Engineering School, then became a full-time author.
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Wrote ~150 short stories, including In a Grove, Hell Screen, and Spider’s Thread. His style blended classical Japanese/Chinese lore with modern psychological insights.
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His work inspired cinematic and operatic adaptations, most notably Kurosawa’s Rashōmon (1950).
4. Personal Life & Hardships
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Spouse/Partner: Fumi Tsukamoto (married 1918)
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Children: Three – Hiroshi (actor, 1920–1981), Takashi (died in Burma, 1922–1945), Yasushi (composer, 1925–1989)
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Health: Suffered migraines, insomnia, hallucinations, and deep depression, fearing inherited madness.
5. Downturn & Tragic End
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A 1921 stint as a correspondent in Shanghai worsened his fragile mental state.
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By 1926–27, plagued by anxiety and hallucinations, Akutagawa attempted suicide and felt overshadowed by mental illness.
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Death: Committed suicide on 24 July 1927 via barbital overdose at age 35. His funeral opened with his haunting letter
6. Legacy & Enduring Success
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Regarded as Japan’s premier author of short fiction, and posthumously honored with, Akutagawa Prize, established in 1935.
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His works are staples of Japanese literature and have influenced generations of writers and filmmakers worldwide.
Key Facts Overview
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residence | Tokyo, Japan (lifelong) |
| Profession | Writer, essayist, short-story pioneer |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Religion | Influenced by Buddhism, Christianity; no formal affiliation |
| Horoscope | Pisces (born 1 Mar) |
| Age at death | 35 (1927) |
| Body/Physical Stats | Not publicly documented; no reliable info on height, weight, measurements, eye/hair color |
| Eye Color / Hair | Likely dark (common Japanese traits) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What made Akutagawa famous?
A: His concise, psychologically rich short stories like Rashōmon and In a Grove reframe classic tales with modern realism.
Q2: Why did he die young?
A: Haunted by mental illness he feared he inherited, he battled insomnia, hallucinations, and depression, leading to suicide at 35.
Q3: What is the Akutagawa Prize?
A: A prestigious Japanese literary award established in 1935 in Akutagawa’s memory, honoring rising literary talent
Q4: How many works did he write?
A: Approximately 150 short stories, essays, and reviews.
Q5: Are his works adapted for film?
A: Yes—most notably, Kurosawa’s Rashōmon (1950), adapted from Akutagawa’s stories.