Ryūnosuke Akutagawa Biography

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (March 1, 1892 – July 24, 1927) was a Japanese writer active in Taisho period Japan. He is regarded as the “Father of the Japanese short story”, and is noted for his superb style and finely detailed stories that explore the darker side of human nature.

Akutagawa was born in the Kyōbashi district of Tokyo, the son of a milkman (Toshizō Shinbara (新原敏三, Shinbara Toshizō^?)). He later claimed that he was named “Ryūnosuke” (“Dragon Son”) 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, although an examination of the calendar indicates that this was not actually the case^. His mother (Fuku Shinbara) went insane shortly after his birth, so he was adopted and raised by his maternal uncle, Akutagawa Dosho, from whom he received the Akutagawa family name. He was interested in classical Chinese literature from an early age, as well as the works of Mori Ōgai and Natsume Sōseki, both of whom were popular when he was growing up.

He entered the First High School in 1910, developing relationships with classmates such as Kan Kikuchi, Kume Masao, Yamamoto Yūzō, and Tsuchiya Bunmei, all of whom would later become famous authors. He began writing after entering Tokyo Imperial University 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 a famous actor, Takashi Akutagawa (1922-1945) was killed in World War II, and Yasushi Akutagawa (1925-1989) was a famous composer.

After graduation, he taught briefly at the Naval Engineering School in Yokosuka, Kanagawa as an English language instructor, before deciding to devote his full efforts to writing.

 In 1914, Akutagawa and his former high school friends revived the literary journal Shinshichō (“New Currents of Thought”), publishing translations of William Butler Yeats and Anatole France along with their own works.

Akutagawa published his first short story Rashōmon the following year in the literary magazine Teikoku Bungaku (“Imperial Literature”), while still a student. The story, based on a fantasy from late Heian period Japan, with a sharp twist of psychological drama, was largely unnoticed by the literary world, except by noted author Natsume Sōseki. Encouraged by the praise, Akutagawa thereafter considered himself Sōseki’s disciple, and began visiting the author for his literary circle meetings every Thursday. It was also at this time that he started writing haiku under the haigo (or pen-name) Gaki.

These meetings led to Hana (“The Nose”, 1916), which was published in Shinshicho, and again highly praised by Sōseki. Akutagawa followed with a series of short stories set in Heian period, Edo period or early Meiji period Japan, and were based on the themes of the ugliness of egoism and the value of art. These stories reinterpreted classical works and historical incidents from a distinctly modern standpoint.

Noted examples of these stories include: Gesaku zanmai (“A Life Devoted to Gesaku”, 1917) and Kareno-shō (“Gleanings from a Withered Field”, 1918), Jigoku hen (“Hell Screen”, 1918); Hokōnin no shi (“The Death of a Christian”, 1918), and Butōkai (“The Ball”, 1920).

Akutagawa was a strong opponent of naturalism, which had dominated Japanese fiction in the early 1900s. He continued to borrow themes from old tales, and giving them a complex modern interpretation, however the success of stories like Mikan (“Mandarin Oranges”, 1919) and Aki (“Autumn”, 1920) prompted him to turn increasingly towards more modern settings.

In 1921, at the crest of his popularity, Akutagawa interrupted his writing career to spend four months in China, as a reporter for the Osaka Mainichi Shinbun. The trip was stressful and he suffered from various illnesses, from which his health would never recover. Shortly after his return he published his most famous tale, Yabu no naka (“In a Grove“)

BROTHERHOOD

Roland G. Toquero

Full of love and socialization

facing with care and admiration

truly friendship is the best action

forever love is the reflection

Behind those moments of amity

truly lines up love and unity

behind the tool for community

for heart, will and mind in purity

Everything accomplishments have done

through good work not standing alone

sitting in a shiny thorny throne

and freedom in the darkness wild cone

Many have changed and travelled away

leaving their most amiable way

not to break relationship, so pray

almighty God will be the best tray

All needed beside is a great fair

caring movements like a milky bear

just to realize somehow great pair

and a happy journey in the air

Truly love peace and brotherhood need

in the mortal’s heart and mind, these lead

it will be the greatest food we made

and abundant friendship is the seed

The church was probably started to be built in 1871 and is said to be one of the most beautiful churches in Ilocos.

THE LIFE BEFORE TOMORROW

Roland Toquero is my real name born on May 27, 1990 at Sabuanan Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur. I am the fruit of Mr. Geoffrey Toquero and Mrs. Lilia Toquero, a resident of Sabuanan, Sta Lucia Ilocos Sur.

I studied Primary and Intermediate at Patpata Elementary School and sent to secondary level at the famous, friendly and pilot school, Teodoro Hernaez National High School. Many achievements are reached during these school levels.

 I became a member of the Theater Arts, the Sta. Lucia Church Choir and the Knights of Altar in the same church during my Secondary years. These improved my abilities physically, spiritually and intellectually. Afterwards, I enroled tertiary level at University of Northern Philippines Branch, Candon City and took up Bachelor in Elementary Education. My talents and my Skills were really developed during this level because of influence.Through these skills,I believed that education existed as long as you do everything.

“Teaching is Learning Twice”( Dr. Jaime Raras). You could learn with your own and with your learners. Teaching is improving knowledge, arts, skills, habits and attitudes towards good future. That’s my teaching views… “Read Today, Lead Tomorrow”