1.
Akutagawa Ryunosuke, novelist
A master of the short story known for 羅生門 and 藪の中 (the basis for Kurosawa's film Rashomon). He died by suicide at 35, and Japan's most prestigious literary prize for new writers, the 芥川賞, is named after him.
Usually called 芥川 (the family name) in casual reference.
Common expressions
Cultural note
His short stories 羅生門 and 藪の中 are staples of the school curriculum, and Kurosawa Akira's film Rashomon is drawn from both. The 芥川賞, established in his memory in 1935, remains Japan's top literary award for new fiction writers and is announced twice a year in national news.