What makes a Japanese short story strange?

Strange Japanese short stories often have elements of the supernatural. For example, ghosts or spirits might play a role, like in many traditional Japanese ghost stories. They also tend to explore deep psychological states. Characters may have extreme emotions or obsessions that drive the story in unexpected directions.

A strange Japanese short story is 'The Nose' also by Akutagawa. In this story, a priest is overly self - conscious about his long nose. It's strange as it delves deep into human vanity and self - perception in a rather absurd yet engaging way. It shows how something as simple as a nose can have a huge impact on one's self - esteem and how society views them.

The visitor might be strange because of their appearance. They could have an unusual style of dress or a physical feature that stands out. For example, they might be very tall or have a strange mark on their face.

It could be unexpected characters or a peculiar setting. Maybe a twist in the plot or odd behavior from the people involved.

It could be the unexpected plot twist or the unconventional characters. Something that breaks the norm and catches the reader off guard.

A unique setting and unexpected plot twists can make it captivating. Also, well-developed characters and their emotional responses to the strange encounter add to the appeal.

The contrast between the normal and the strange. For instance, if a story is set in a modern city and suddenly a time - traveler from the past appears. This contrast of different eras and the implications of such an encounter, like how the time - traveler reacts to the modern world and vice versa, can make for a very interesting short story. It can also be interesting when the strange encounter challenges the protagonist's beliefs or world view. Maybe they were a skeptic about the supernatural but then have a face - to - face encounter with a ghost - like entity, which forces them to reevaluate what they thought was possible.

It's got a unique plot twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The way the story unfolds is really engaging.

For a strange dream short story to be appealing to kids, it needs to have elements of surprise and fun. A good ending that makes them feel happy or inspired is also important. Also, using easy language that they can understand helps a lot.

It could be the nature of the puzzle itself. For instance, if the pieces don't fit together in a normal way, like they have irregular shapes or defy the laws of geometry. That would be really strange.