The Nose

🇯🇵 Japan: The Nose, Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Summary

The Nose is a satirical short story that explores themes of vanity, insecurity, and societal schadenfreude in 12th-century Japan.  The protagonist, a Buddhist priest known as "The Nose," is deeply self-conscious about his unusually long nose, which hangs down to his chin. He constantly worries about how others perceive him and goes to great lengths to try and make his nose appear shorter. His preoccupation with his physical flaw affects his spiritual life and his interactions with others, leading him to feelings of isolation and despair. 

Through a chance encounter, The Nose learns of a method to shorten his nose from a Chinese doctor-turned-monk. He undergoes the painful procedure, which involves boiling his nose and having it stomped upon, and is overjoyed when his nose becomes a normal size. However, his newfound confidence is short-lived as he soon realises that people are still laughing at him, albeit for different reasons. He becomes aware of society's perverse satisfaction in witnessing the downfall of those who have overcome misfortune. 

The Nose's nose miraculously returns to its original length after a restless night. Despite the return of his physical insecurity, The Nose experiences a strange sense of relief and contentment. He realises that his nose has become a part of his identity and that he is better off accepting his perceived flaw rather than constantly seeking the approval of others. The story ends with The Nose embracing his unique feature, suggesting that true peace comes from self-acceptance and inner harmony, rather than conforming to societal expectations.    

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