# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

- [Short Fiction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/short-fiction.md): This chapter presents a collection of Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's short stories, exploring themes of moral ambiguity, self-identity, and the clash between illusion and reality. The stories range from historical tales like 'Ras
- [Rashōmon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/rash-mon.md): A jobless lackey takes shelter under the Rashōmon gate in decaying Kyoto, contemplating whether to starve or turn thief. He discovers an old hag pulling hair from corpses to make wigs, and after initially condemning her,
- [Tobacco and the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/tobacco-and-the-devil.md): The Devil arrives in Japan with tobacco seeds hidden in his ear, intending to tempt the Japanese. He borrows a field and cultivates the plants, but when a cattle dealer asks what they are, the Devil proposes a wager: if 
- [The Nose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-nose.md): Zenchi Naigu, a Buddhist priest with an unusually long nose, suffers from deep self-consciousness and wounded pride. He tries various methods to shorten it, eventually succeeding with a disciple's help. However, his reli
- [The Handkerchief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-handkerchief.md): Professor Hasegawa, a law professor at the Imperial University, reads Strindberg's Dramaturgy on his veranda, reflecting on Japanese civilization and Bushidō. He receives a visit from a mother, Nishiyama Atsuko, who reco

> 30 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_59_se_349kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Lice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/lice.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [The Wine Worm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-wine-worm.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [The Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-pipe.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/v.md)
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [The Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-badger.md)
- [The Spider's Thread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-spider-s-thread.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Story of a Fallen Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/story-of-a-fallen-head.md)
- [Mōri Sensei](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/m-ri-sensei.md)
- [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-ball.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Tu Tzuchun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/tu-tzuchun.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters