summary

Summary

«In the Land of Water Sprites» is a satirical novella by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, where the main character, a patient in a psychiatric hospital, recounts his journey to the land of kappas, mythical creatures from Japanese folklore. In this land, kappas live by their own laws and customs, which mirror human society but with ironic and absurd elements. Through interactions with the kappas, the author critiques various aspects of human life, such as politics, economics, art, and morality. The novella raises questions about the meaning of life and human nature, using the fantastical world of kappas as a vehicle for satire and philosophical reflection.