Publisher's Synopsis
First published in a 1920 issue of 'Akaitori' (Red Bird), a popular, Japanese children's magazine for fairy tales and nursery rhymes, 'Majutsu' (Magic/Witchcraft) is an enthralling short story tackling the moral issues of greed and human ego in a subtle way, easy for all to understand. It is suitable for children, teens and adults as the tale's message is significant, and the writing is gripping.Akutagawa is one of Japan's most renowned writers, with masterpieces such as 'In a Grove', 'Rashomon', 'Hana' and 'The Nose' featured in libraries worldwide. 'Witchcraft' tells the story of a man's encounter with an accomplished magician, and the steps he will take to learn magic too.Published seven years before his death, and just three months before the birth of his first child, the often-overlooked stories penned by Akutagawa in this time marks a mid-point in his brief career, shortly before the start of his mental decline. Now, nearly 100 years since it was originally published in Japanese, the first-ever English translation of 'Majutsu' is available for the world.The translation is as close to the original as possible, with only minor creative changes made to aid in understanding. The style and format may be a little odd, at first, to a non-Japanese reader, but its spartan formatting allows the reader to fully be engrossed in the tale.
