Ryunosuke Akutagawa Hell Screen
Fantastic Tales: Hell Screen First broadcast: Mon 5th-Tue6th Nov 2007, 18:30 on BBC Radio 7 Ryunosuke Akutagawa's chilling 1918 horror story read in two-parts by Togo Igawa. When a mighty medieval Japanese Lord clashes with an arrogant painter, tragedy is sparked. Translator: Jay Rubin Director: Gemma Jenkins "Hell Screen" ( 地獄変 , Jigokuhen) is a short story written by Japanese writer Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. It was a reworking of Uji Shūi Monogatari and originally published in 1918 as a serialization in two newspapers. It was later published in a collection of Akutagawa short stories, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke zenshū. Ryūnosuke Akutagawa is credited as the father of the Japanese short story, and this short story, is, like much of his fiction, a blend of Japanese and Western literary influences. He also wrote, Roshomon.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Reviews
FINE SHORT STORY
Mary Ann Mays
Though a translation, the worth of Ryanusuke Akutagawa's ability as a writer is excellent. I would hope to find more here...like In a Grove or Roshomon. The reader was exceptionally effective and , I think, a reason for the value of the story even as a translation.
well read. Grim tale with mysterious human reactions.
Sandra Urban