How to Read “Rashō-mon”: The Intermutation Theory / The “Third Term” Theory

Abstract

Takehiko Saigō is a literary scholar who first became known for his theory of viewpoints which was once widely applied to the teaching of kokugo. In 2008 he struck out in a new direction with the theory of intermutation which he must have elaborated under no small influence of Minoru Tanaka's theory of the “third term.” In this article I will critically compare the two theories through the reading of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's “Rashō-mon” which focuses on its character-objects.