High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Ryunosuke Akutagawa (March 1, 1892 - July 24, 1927) was a Japanese writer active in Taish period Japan. He is regarded as the "Father of the Japanese short story", and is noted for his superb style and finely detailed stories that explore the darker side of human nature. Ryunosuke Akutagawa was born in the Kyobashi district of Tokyo, the third child and only son of father Toshiz Niihara and mother Fuku Niihara (née Akutagawa). He was named "Ryunosuke" ("Son [of] Dragon") because he was allegedly born in the Year of the Dragon, in the Month of the Dragon, on the Day of the Dragon, and at the Hour of the Dragon.