# Short Fiction — Character guide

> Key figures in Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

- [Tu Tzuchun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tu_tzuchun.md): A man who encounters a Taoist immortal and undergoes trials testing his compassion and detachment.
- [Zenchi Naigu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/zenchi_naigu.md): A Buddhist priest whose nose grows grotesquely long, causing him great shame and social torment.
- [Mōri Sensei](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/mori_sensei.md): A respected teacher whose past actions and relationships are explored through his interactions with students.
- [Khashoji](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/khashoji.md): A poor man who becomes entangled in a series of misfortunes and moral dilemmas.
- [Maeda Narihiro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/maeda_narihiro.md): A historical figure whose story is recounted, involving political intrigue and personal conflict.
- [Akiko](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/akiko.md): A woman whose relationships and experiences are central to several narratives in the collection.
- [Akutagawa Ryūnosuke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/akutagawa_ryunosuke.md): The author himself appears as a character in framing narratives and introductions.
- [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun.md): A cunning and charismatic figure who orchestrates schemes and manipulations.
- [Kandata](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kandata.md): A notorious bandit condemned to hell who is given a chance at salvation through a single good deed.
- [Tamba Sensei](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tamba_sensei.md): A teacher or mentor figure who appears in stories involving students and moral lessons.
- [Mori Gonnoshin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/mori_gonnoshin.md): A samurai or official whose actions and fate are central to a historical narrative.
- [Ryōtetsu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/ryotetsu.md): A Buddhist priest or scholar who engages in philosophical discussions.
- [St. Francis Xavier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/st_francis_xavier.md): The historical missionary whose arrival in Japan is depicted in a narrative.
- [the naval officer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/naval_officer.md): A naval officer who appears in a story involving a ball and social interactions.
- [Master Sun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/master_sun.md): A Chinese sage or strategist referenced in a philosophical context.
- [Kikuchi Kan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kikuchi_kan.md): A contemporary writer or acquaintance of the author mentioned in the text.
- [the Devil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_devil.md): The devil appears as a character in a story about temptation and tobacco.
- [a certain Mr. Yamakawa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/mr_yamakawa.md): A man whose story or actions are recounted in a narrative.
- [Tiehkuantzu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/tiehkuantzu.md): A Taoist immortal or legendary figure who appears in a story.
- [Major Kimura](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/major_kimura.md): A military officer whose actions are part of a historical narrative.
- [Inoue Tenzo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/inoue_tenzo.md): A character involved in a story about a pipe or personal conflict.
- [the French naval officer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/french_naval_officer.md): A French naval officer who appears in a story involving a ball.
- [the mountain priest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/mountain_priest.md): A priest living in the mountains who interacts with other characters.
- [Sumiyoshiya Shichibei](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/sumiyoshiya_shichibei.md): A merchant or townsman who appears in a story.
- [the Buddha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_buddha.md): The Buddha appears in a story about salvation and judgment.
- [Hari - no - Yama](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/hari_no_yama.md): A mountain or deity referenced in a mythological context.
- [The Chinese](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_chinese.md): A group of Chinese people appearing as characters in a story.
- [a grotesque Buddhist priest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/grotesque_buddhist_priest.md): A priest with a strange appearance who appears in a narrative.
- [Strindberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/strindberg.md): The Swedish playwright referenced or appearing as a character in a story.
- [a captain of foot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/captain_of_foot.md): A military captain who appears in a historical narrative.
- [Pierre Loti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/pierre_loti.md): The French writer referenced in a story about a ball.
- [the Japanese](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_japanese.md): A group of Japanese people appearing as characters in a story.
- [Madame Heiberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/madame_heiberg.md): A woman who appears in a story about a handkerchief.
- [Prof. Hasegawa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/prof_hasegawa.md): A professor who appears in a story about a handkerchief.
- [Rashōmon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/rashomon.md): The gate itself is a setting and character in the story.
- [the Virgin Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/virgin_mary.md): The Virgin Mary appears in a religious context.
- [Baiko](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/baiko.md): A character, possibly an actor or performer, in a story.
- [The Badger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/the_badger.md): A badger that appears as a character in a story.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters