Character guide

Tu Tzuchun

major

A man who encounters a Taoist immortal and undergoes trials testing his compassion and detachment.

Zenchi Naigu

major

Also known as The Naigu, the old Naigu

A Buddhist priest whose nose grows grotesquely long, causing him great shame and social torment.

Mōri Sensei

major

Also known as Sensei

A respected teacher whose past actions and relationships are explored through his interactions with students.

Khashoji

major

Also known as Poor Khashoji

A poor man who becomes entangled in a series of misfortunes and moral dilemmas.

Maeda Narihiro

supporting

Also known as Narihiro, VI Thereafter Narihiro

A historical figure whose story is recounted, involving political intrigue and personal conflict.

Akiko

supporting

Also known as The Akiko

A woman whose relationships and experiences are central to several narratives in the collection.

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke

supporting

Also known as Introduction Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, bright young Ryūnosuke, Akutagawa

The author himself appears as a character in framing narratives and introductions.

Kōchiyama Sōshun

supporting

Also known as Sōshun, Kōchiyama, VII Kōchiyama Sōshun

A cunning and charismatic figure who orchestrates schemes and manipulations.

Kandata

major

Also known as this Kandata

A notorious bandit condemned to hell who is given a chance at salvation through a single good deed.

Tamba Sensei

supporting

A teacher or mentor figure who appears in stories involving students and moral lessons.

Mori Gonnoshin

supporting

Also known as Mori, this Gonnoshin, the Mori

A samurai or official whose actions and fate are central to a historical narrative.

Ryōtetsu

minor

A Buddhist priest or scholar who engages in philosophical discussions.

St. Francis Xavier

minor

Also known as St. Francis, Francis Xavier

The historical missionary whose arrival in Japan is depicted in a narrative.

the naval officer

minor

A naval officer who appears in a story involving a ball and social interactions.

Master Sun

minor

Also known as Sun

A Chinese sage or strategist referenced in a philosophical context.

Kikuchi Kan

minor

Also known as Kikuchi

A contemporary writer or acquaintance of the author mentioned in the text.

the Devil

supporting

Also known as The Devil

The devil appears as a character in a story about temptation and tobacco.

a certain Mr. Yamakawa

minor

Also known as Mr. Yamakawa

A man whose story or actions are recounted in a narrative.

Tiehkuantzu

minor

A Taoist immortal or legendary figure who appears in a story.

Major Kimura

minor

A military officer whose actions are part of a historical narrative.

Inoue Tenzo

minor

Also known as Inoue

A character involved in a story about a pipe or personal conflict.

the French naval officer

minor

Also known as The French naval officer

A French naval officer who appears in a story involving a ball.

the mountain priest

minor

A priest living in the mountains who interacts with other characters.

Sumiyoshiya Shichibei

minor

A merchant or townsman who appears in a story.

the Buddha

minor

Also known as The Buddha

The Buddha appears in a story about salvation and judgment.

Hari - no - Yama

minor

Also known as Yama

A mountain or deity referenced in a mythological context.

The Chinese

minor

Also known as the Chinese

A group of Chinese people appearing as characters in a story.

a grotesque Buddhist priest

minor

A priest with a strange appearance who appears in a narrative.

Strindberg

minor

The Swedish playwright referenced or appearing as a character in a story.

a captain of foot

minor

A military captain who appears in a historical narrative.

Pierre Loti

minor

Also known as Loti

The French writer referenced in a story about a ball.

Nishiyama- kun

minor

A young man who appears in a story.

the Japanese

minor

Also known as The Japanese, Japanese

A group of Japanese people appearing as characters in a story.

Madame Heiberg

minor

A woman who appears in a story about a handkerchief.

Ueki Kurouemon

minor

Also known as Ueki

A character in a historical narrative.

Prof. Hasegawa

minor

Also known as The Handkerchief Prof. Hasegawa Kinzō, Hasegawa

A professor who appears in a story about a handkerchief.

Rashōmon

minor

The gate itself is a setting and character in the story.

the Virgin Mary

minor

Also known as Mary

The Virgin Mary appears in a religious context.

Baiko

minor

A character, possibly an actor or performer, in a story.

Iwata Kuranosuke

minor

Also known as Iwata

A character in a historical narrative.

The Badger

minor

A badger that appears as a character in a story.