Shih-ku who invites him to tea to tell the story. Yüan Tsai – Master who first informs Yen-k'o of Autumn Mountain and tells him where to find it. Yen-k'o – Art collector who greatly admirers the master Ta Ch'ih. He seeks out Autumn Mountain, and, upon seeing it, does everything in his power to purchase it. After passing on the absolute perfection he finds in the painting to Wang Shih-ku, he sees the painting a final time, only to not find the same mastery. Mr. Chang – The original owner of Autumn Mountain, he seems uneasy about the painting, not sure if its beauty lies only in his own mind, or if others can see it as well. He maintains a run-down yet grand residence where the painting is kept. Mr. Chang's grandson – The inheritor of Mr. Chang's estate who gives the painting to Mr. Wang's death upon obtaining it. Mr. Wang - The man who obtains the painting from Mr. Chang's grandson. The painting is the pride of his collection, and invites critics to come and see it. After witnessing Wang Shih-ku's and Yen-k'o's negative reactions, he tries to see if there is another, grander copy of the painting. Lien-chou – A renowned art critic who declares Autumn Mountain a great masterpiece. Themes Like many of his works, Autumn Mountain deals with the objectivity of truth. The two friends do not know if the masterpiece ever really existed, but do realize that such a painting exists at least in the reality of their minds. Though the painting appears to be nothing more than a figment of imagination. However, Akutagawa comments on the nature of supreme beauty by asserting that ultimate beauty did exist, even if only in the observer's mind. Notes References Short stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa 1921 short stories Japanese short stories