This book contains stories written by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Japanese famous writer in Meizi era. “Rashomon”, the title of this book, is one of the most well-known tale in Japan; because it appears in Japanese textbooks read by elementary school students.
When I first met this story, I was really shocked by the intensity of characters. This narrative is not happy but impressive for me. If you want to touch Japanese literacy, I recommend this book.
Tanikawa Shuntaro is a famous Japanese poet. Maybe some of you have once heard his name, or know him very well.
For me, his poems were the first poems which I learned to enjoy with rhythm. Since I learned his poem when I was in the age of kindergarten, its still wonderful reading them after 20years silence. p22 “Today”, it makes us think our life.
And another way to enjoy this book. Check the sonnets from the 1st one and find what’s written on your birthday number.(Some are given titles and some are just numbered, so count them from the 1st sonnet on p19!)