芥川 龍之介: 蜘蛛の糸

"Spider's Thread", by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (for whom Japan's premier literary prize is named). For good reason, as this short short story is steeped in Buddhism without being didactic or obscure; the reader needn't be Buddhist to appreciate its virtuosity or the unique style and voice/ tone of 芥川. I read "Spider's Thread" in Japanese today and continue to marvel at Akutagawa, having recently perused Rashomon, In the Thicket, and Nose. All great stories, but perhaps 蜘蛛の糸 is most accessible. Here's an English translation: Kumono-Ito-text.pdf https://share.google/4FW9VOfv9pbeldFh9 Japanese: https://tatsu-zine.com/samples/aozora/kumono_ito.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooYZKwjasUw6z5PZtXQwmHyapdN3FQsOdnfY_Bc704Zz8HrwzVF