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Translated from the Japanese by Geoffrey Bownas
The Kappa is a creature from Japanese folklore described as
a scaly, child-sized being with a face like a tiger and a
sharp, pointed beak. In the hands of RyunosukeAkutagawa, one
man’s journey to ‘Kappaland’ becomes the vehicle
for a critique of Japanese life and customs in the tradition
of Swift and Kafka.
A perfectly formed gem from the pen of one of Japan’s
most important modern writers, Kappa is at once a fable,
a comedy and a brilliant satire.
• Akira Kurosawa’s acclaimed film Rashomon
is taken from an Akutagawa short story.
• This edition retains the substantial biographical introduction
by Graham Healey.
• The Akutagawa Prize, established after the author’s
death, is now one of Japan’s most prestigious literary
awards.
‘A novel of exquisite precision.’ – Spectator
‘A classic of our times, from a literature that deserves
to be better known.’ – Scotsman
‘A devilishly cool satire on human behaviour.’ – New
Statesman
‘A tiny book with an irresistible quality . . . exquisite.’ – Sunday
Times
RYUNOSUKE AKUTAGAWA (1892–1927) was the author
of over a hundred short stories, as well as translations
of the works of Anatole France and Yeats. Akutagawa was
regarded as a major author during his lifetime, and the
Akutagawa Prize, established after his suicide at the age
of thirty-five, is now one of Japan’s most prestigious
literary awards. Two of the stories from his collection Rashomon formed
the basis of the award-winning film of the same title by
Akira Kurosawa.
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