Shadow Lantern
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Summary
Whether to pass the time or to make a living, because of these vulgar misconceptions held by the world, what anguish and torment Professor Mori must endure. — "Professor Mori"
This is the sole reward that the nameless artist—one of us—obtains from this world in exchange for sacrificing his life. — "The Marshland"
Even if it is a madman—is it not the monster hidden deep within us humans that drives me mad? As long as that monster exists, the very people who mock me today as a madman may tomorrow become madmen just like me. — "Doubt"
Editor's review
The title "The Shadow Lantern" is itself a richly evocative metaphor. A lantern is meant to give light, yet a "shadow lantern" seems intended to illuminate shadows and obscurity. This precisely accords with the qualities of many stories in the collection: they do not strive to depict clear social reality or intense dramatic conflict, but instead probe the edges of consciousness, the folds of memory, the border between dream and reality, and those subtle emotions overlooked by everyday logic. Readers may encounter stories hovering between classical legend and modern interpretation, feel the strange resonance stirred in Akutagawa's heart by Eastern and Western cultures, and savor his metaphysical reflections on art, beauty, and the existence of life.
For readers familiar with Akutagawa's sharp satire and cool rationality, The Shadow Lantern offers a window into another landscape of his inner world. The writing here may be more circuitous and the atmosphere more ethereal, yet the spirit of literary experimentation and the inquiry into ultimate questions contained within still shimmer with Akutagawa's distinctive intellectual brilliance. Reading this book requires some patience, and even more a willingness to immerse oneself in the literary atmosphere rather than simply chasing plot. It is like the writer pausing during a long creative journey to listen—to the whispers of his own heart and the mysterious music of the universe—and sealing these listened fragments within the dim, enduring halo of this "shadow lantern."
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers with a deep interest in Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's literary world who wish to explore his less typical works
- Literature lovers who prefer short stories with a hazy beauty, profound atmosphere, and a focus on psychological and philosophical reflection
- Researchers interested in Japanese literature of the Taishō period, especially works inclined toward aestheticism or mysticism
- Readers able to enjoy a slow reading pace and immerse themselves in the atmosphere and imagery created by the text
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting stories as tightly plotted, intensely conflict-driven, and pointedly allegorical as Rashōmon or In a Grove
- Readers impatient with texts featuring extensive inner monologue, stream-of-consciousness techniques, or strong symbolism
Reading tips
- Read in a quiet environment; there is no need to rush—savor each story one by one and feel its unique atmosphere and rhythm
- While reading, note how Akutagawa blends and reconstructs classical subjects, exotic elements, and personal modern sensibilities
- Reading this book alongside representative works from other periods of Akutagawa's career will give a more three-dimensional understanding of the evolution of this complex writer's creative trajectory
About the publisher
Chongqing Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for its titles in the humanities, social sciences, literature and arts, with about 940 books in its catalogue. Its publishing areas cover world history, science fiction, foreign literature, architecture and philosophy. Representative titles include Xiang Da's A History of Communications Between China and the West, Liang Sicheng's Rules of Qing-Style Construction, Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem II: The Dark Forest and III: Death's End, Ann Rand's The Fountainhead (25th Anniversary Edition), and Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series. Its authors include Xiang Da, Liu Cixin, Liang Sicheng and Ann Rand. The press has developed distinctive strengths in historical source editing, the introduction and creation of science fiction, the translation of foreign literature, and architecture and philosophy titles, balancing scholarly value with general readership. As public information is limited, this profile outlines its publishing directions based only on the books in the catalogue.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 世之助的故事
- 毛利老师
- 魔笛与神犬
- 开化的丈夫
- 橘子
- 圣·克里斯朵夫传
- 沼泽地
- 龙
- 疑惑
- 于连·吉助
- 妖婆
- 路上
FAQ
Is The Shadow Lantern an early work by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa?
Which famous stories by Akutagawa does this book include?
Why is the book called "The Shadow Lantern"? Does it have a special meaning?
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About the author
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892–1927) was a Japanese novelist of the Taishō period. Born in Tokyo, he was originally surnamed Niihara and later took the surname Akutagawa after being adopted into the Akutagawa family. In 1915 he published "Rashōmon," which won the admiration of Natsume Sōseki. He is known for short stories such as "The Nose," "Hell Screen," and "In a Grove," and is regarded as the father of the Japanese short story; the Akutagawa Prize is named after him. His works often draw on history and classical sources, written in a restrained, precise style that reveals the subtle and absurd sides of human nature within a compact form. They are commonly classified as foreign literature and classics, and some pieces appear in examination selections. In 1927 he took sleeping pills and died at the age of thirty-five.
Xie Yinping is a Chinese author about whom only limited public information is available. One work by this author is included in the library collection, namely Shadow Lantern (Ying Denglong), commonly classified under foreign literature. On the basis of the available material alone, it is difficult to determine whether Xie is a translator or researcher of foreign literature, or a writer working against a foreign-literary background; details of the author's life, English name, and dates of birth and death have not been clearly recorded. The title Shadow Lantern carries a strong imagistic quality, evoking a narrative atmosphere in which light and shadow interweave and darkness coexists with illumination, and it also echoes the foreign themes and cross-cultural perspective suggested by the foreign-literature classification. Since this is the only verifiable work at present, discussion of Xie Yinping's writing style and literary influence can only remain limited; readers wishing to understand this author's creative profile should begin with Shadow Lantern and watch for further public information as it becomes available.
