Hell Screen

Summary

«Hell Screen» is a short story by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa that tells the tale of Yoshihide, an artist renowned for his skill and obsession with art. He is commissioned by a cruel feudal lord to create a mural depicting hell. During the process, Yoshihide faces a moral dilemma when the lord demands that the artist portray a scene based on real suffering. In the story's climax, Yoshihide agrees to a horrific experiment to achieve perfection in his art, leading to tragic consequences. The story explores themes of art, morality, and human cruelty.