Magic and Other Writings

In Tokyo, an Indian magician offers to teach an ordinary man his astonishing powers—on one condition: he must relinquish desire. A game of cards soon puts that condition to the test.

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke’s seven complete writings move through haunted religious history, a lively Edo inn, the insecurity of a priest with an extraordinary nose, and a Taoist dream that provokes an unexpected affirmation of life. A visit to the fish market and an essay tracing opium through travel writing, Chinese legend, and verse broaden the collection’s changing moods.

First published between 1916 and 1926, these stories and writings combine sharp comedy with searching questions about faith, reputation, temptation, and human selfishness. Concise notes explain unfamiliar references while preserving the originals’ ambiguity and unsettling conclusions. AI-assisted translation.