Pathway to Japanese Literature
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PassionAuthor: Akutagawa Ryūnosuke
| Original Title | 好色 |
|---|---|
| Author | 芥川 竜之介 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the opulent courts of Heian-era Japan, a notorious charmer finds himself ensnared in an obsession that defies his legendary prowess. Heichū, a man whose wit and allure have conquered countless hearts, fixates on a Lady-in-waiting whose icy indifference unravels his confidence. Her silence—unyielding despite his torrent of poetic letters—ignites a desperate chase that blurs pride and longing. Each calculated gesture, from moonlit serenades to clandestine visits in storm-lashed nights, only deepens his humiliation. Yet beneath her aloofness lies a cunning intellect, her rebuffs crafted with the precision of a master artisan. As rivals mock his unraveling and friends debate whether he is genius or fool, Heichū’s world narrows to a single, maddening question: Is her resistance a game, a test, or a mirror reflecting his own emptiness? Akutagawa weaves a haunting tale of desire’s paradox—where the pursuit of conquest becomes a labyrinth of self-destruction, painted in the shimmering hues of cherry blossoms and cloistered intrigue. |
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