The Waters of the Great River and Other Stories

A boy’s beloved river opens onto boats, bridges, theater, and distant literature. An editor and novelist spar over the making of a story. A persecuted Christian risks everything in a burning city. A murderous spider becomes a devoted mother, while a man sees his wife’s beauty through the eyes of a louse.

The collection concludes with Amorous Desire, a portrait of the courtly lover Heichū. His confidence falters before the elusive Jijū, and his friends debate whether his gifts make him a genius or a torment to others. His final attempt to break the spell of desire leads to an extraordinary humiliation.

These six complete works display Akutagawa Ryūnosuke’s range from lyrical recollection to dialogue, religious narrative, fable, and psychological comedy. This new English translation retains every supplied work, epigraph, afterword, and original closing date, with concise notes on historical terms and textual uncertainties. AI-assisted translation, prepared and edited by Valentin Sarić.