"The Nose" tells the story of Zenchi Naigu, a Buddhist priest living in Kyoto. Naigu is a man of great learning and devotion, but he's also deeply insecure about his extraordinarily long nose, which hangs down to his chest. He tries various remedies to shorten it, from herbal treatments to surgical procedures, but to no avail. When a method finally proves successful, shortening his nose to a more socially acceptable length, Naigu unexpectedly finds himself feeling more unhappy and self-conscious than ever before. He discovers that his long nose, while a source of great shame, was also the object of attention and curiosity. Its removal leaves him feeling ordinary and unnoticed. **English translation is genarative by generative AI

"A Certain Fool's Life" is not a cohesive narrative with a traditional plot. Instead, it's a series of vignettes, anecdotes, and reflections that offer glimpses into the life, thoughts, and feelings of a man referred to as "the fool." These fragments, presented in a non-chronological order, delve into the inner turmoil, anxieties, and obsessions of Akutagawa himself. The work is characterized by its introspective, self-deprecating, and often despairing tone. The "fool" grapples with his artistic ambitions, his struggle with mental health, his fear of death, and his disillusionment with the world around him. **English translation is genarative by generative AI

"Takekurabe" follows a group of children living in the shadow of the Yoshiwara, a famous red-light district. They play together, explore their surroundings, and observe the lives of the adults around them. The story focuses on the subtle changes that occur as they begin to grow up and become aware of the social hierarchies and complex realities of their environment. It portrays the transition from innocent childhood to the awareness of adult responsibilities, societal expectations, and the realities of life in the Yoshiwara. The central theme revolves around the gradual loss of innocence and the acceptance of a world that is far more complex than they initially understood. **English translation is genarative by generative AI