# the Devil — Short Fiction character guide

> the Devil in Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Devil

**First appearance:** 0004-tobacco-and-the-devil

## Snapshot

A bored tempter who crosses the sea to corrupt the Japanese, he ends up gardening beside St. Francis and growing a crop no one can name.

## Who they are

The Devil arrives in Japan with seeds in the hollow of his ear, intending to tempt the Japanese but finding himself strangely soothed by temple bells and warm spring sun. To stave off moral sleepiness, he borrows a field and sows the seeds, which grow into tall plants with funnel-shaped purple flowers. When a passing cattle dealer asks their name, the Devil's grin and refusal to answer hint at the temptation he has quietly cultivated all along.

## Relationships

### [St. Francis Xavier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/st_francis_xavier)

_rivalry_

A cosmic struggle between good and evil, with St. Francis Xavier opposing the Devil's temptations.

### [Tu Tzuchun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tu_tzuchun)

_psychological_

The Devil manipulates Tu Tzuchun, using temptation and deception to lead him astray.

## In the story

### [Tobacco and the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/tobacco-and-the-devil)

Disguised as a southern barbarian Brother, he cultivates tobacco and wagers with the cattle dealer, ultimately spreading tobacco across Japan.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_devil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters