In the Grove" Story by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

In the Grove" Story by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s “In a Grove” (1922) is one of the most famous works of modern Japanese literature. 

Summary

The story is structured as a series of testimonies given to the High Police Commissioner about the murder of a samurai named Takehiko and the rape of his wife, Masago, in a forest grove near Kyoto. 

The Woodcutter’s Testimony

The Wood Cutter found the body of the samurai in the grove. The man had been stabbed once in the chest and appeared to have died instantly. However, the woodcutter claims he saw no weapon nearby.

The Priest’s Testimony

The priest had seen the samurai and his wife traveling the previous day. He describes them as noble and calm. He also testifies that a suspicious-looking man, later identified as Tajōmaru, followed them.

The Policeman’s Testimony

The policeman reports that he has captured Tajōmaru, who was found injured and in possession of the samurai’s horse and belongings.

Tajōmaru’s Confession

The bandit admits to killing the samurai but gives his own version. He says he lured the samurai into the woods, tied him up, and then seduced his wife. According to Tajōmaru, Masago begged him to kill her husband to avoid shame. He claims he fought the samurai honorably and killed him in a duel.

Masago’s Testimony

Masago tells a very different story. She says that after being assaulted, her husband looked at her with hatred. In shame and despair, she fainted with a dagger in her hand — and when she awoke, her husband was dead. She claims she tried to kill herself afterward but failed.

Takehiko’s Testimony (Through a Medium)

In a supernatural twist, the samurai speaks through a medium. He says that after Masago’s assault, she begged Tajōmaru to kill him, but the bandit was shocked and fled. Overcome with grief, the samurai killed himself with Masago’s dagger.