Ryunosuke Akutagawa, born in 1892, proved to be one of Japan’s most important thinkers during his short career during the Taisho period (1912-1929). Akutagawa is considered “the father of the Japanese short story and one of the most important essayists and poets of that era.” The Akutagawa Prize was called the first literary award in Japan. Japan - in his name. What Akuna Jawa is most famous for is taking simple things or events and expanding on their importance to create a moral lesson or bring up a debate on neglected aspects of humanity.