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The Nose
You can read the masterpieces by manga are worth reading .
Try them so you would be impressed by them !!
We faithfully replicated Akutagawa's works by manga.
About 20 centimeters length has the nose of a certain famous priest and I go down from the top of the upper lip to the bottom of the chin. The form seems to be slim sausage, I withdraw from the middle of the face. He still looks very going at the surface and finishes it. I suffered from disease of this nose in pain all the time in the heart. He felt uneasy about that a word to call a nose came out in an everyday statement above all.
Try them so you would be impressed by them !!
We faithfully replicated Akutagawa's works by manga.
About 20 centimeters length has the nose of a certain famous priest and I go down from the top of the upper lip to the bottom of the chin. The form seems to be slim sausage, I withdraw from the middle of the face. He still looks very going at the surface and finishes it. I suffered from disease of this nose in pain all the time in the heart. He felt uneasy about that a word to call a nose came out in an everyday statement above all.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1916
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 15, 2017
Kind of a like a mirror-opposite to Gogol's story - a man has too big a nose (about six inches hanging in front of his mouth) and is trying hard to get rid of it. Only to find people disliking him even more once he did that.
"The human heart harbors two conflicting sentiments. Everyone, of course, sympathizes with people who suffer misfortunes. Yet when those people manage to overcome their misfortunes, we feel a certain disappointment. We may even feel (to overstate the case somewhat) a desire to plunge them back into those misfortunes. And before we know it, we come (if only passively) to harbor some degree of hostility toward them."
"The human heart harbors two conflicting sentiments. Everyone, of course, sympathizes with people who suffer misfortunes. Yet when those people manage to overcome their misfortunes, we feel a certain disappointment. We may even feel (to overstate the case somewhat) a desire to plunge them back into those misfortunes. And before we know it, we come (if only passively) to harbor some degree of hostility toward them."
September 20, 2017
Thank you bungo stray dogs.
This story was a nice one. So simple yet so common (these days)
This story was a nice one. So simple yet so common (these days)
February 7, 2023
This was my favourite short story from the Rashomon and Other Stories collection, but Gogol's The Nose predates it by 80 strong years.
That being said, Akutagawa's inspiration comes from A Collection of Tales from Uji: A Study and Translation of Uji Shūi Monogatari, a collection of Japanese setsuwa tales from the 13th century.
Extra points to Akutagawa for writing it as a resource text in learning Japanese.
That being said, Akutagawa's inspiration comes from A Collection of Tales from Uji: A Study and Translation of Uji Shūi Monogatari, a collection of Japanese setsuwa tales from the 13th century.
Extra points to Akutagawa for writing it as a resource text in learning Japanese.
September 2, 2017
داستان جالبی بود! واقعا جهان بینی ژاپنیها خیلی عجیب و جذاب هست!
February 25, 2022
Short , satirical, yet so full of symbolism . In such a comical concept , Akutagawa manages to incorporate so skillfully themes of vanity , envy , human behavior, obsession, acceptance. And he does with so many of his stories. He puts those things plain in sight yet carefully woven in his characters and stories which are all delivered with witty satire .
This short story is so impactful, and still relevant , maybe more so than ever .
The Nose, essentially, could be any feature, any status that we become obsessed and utterly controlled by and/or we all in some level or another judge others by. Vanity, education, finances. We seek to find someone to relate to so we can feel normal, equal, on the same level with, even in misery. If the feature in us is perceived as negative, we try to hide it, but we become obsessed with others perception that we lose sight of our life and we live only according to this obsession.
The problem isn't the Nose, but the judgement, mistreatment and tear at the Acolyte's dignity as a result of it. Making him seek in someone else this same feature to ease the pain at his ego, at first, failing to accept his uniqueness , being afraid and tired of others judging him purely on this one feature .
Which brings another point that Akutagawa so delicately places in such a comically set story . In the Buddhist belief of life being suffering and one ought to release themselves from obsessions , we see the Acolyte becoming so obsessed with his Nose. Which by proxy means the opinions of others . And as a result he starts to mess up his Sutras or become distracted, losing sight of what feels important to him deep within.
With the first opportunity to change others' perception of him, he does so, gaining momentary ecstasy , but soon he sees how easily people can turn their inner thoughts outside openly and laugh at his pain , how easily people can turn on him once his misfortune no longer bears down on his shoulders (or in this case face) the criticism of society claiming compassion for someone's pain but enjoying seeing others lower than you . And if you manage to overcome your "feature ", which is seen as obstacle, then society will scrutinize you still , for one reason or another.
let go of the obsession towards others perception of you, live your life truthfully to yourself , don't try to live to please others' standards.
AND ALL OF THAT WHILE HOLDING MYSELF FROM WRITING AND ANALYSING MORE.
Ryunosuke is amazing .
This short story is so impactful, and still relevant , maybe more so than ever .
The Nose, essentially, could be any feature, any status that we become obsessed and utterly controlled by and/or we all in some level or another judge others by. Vanity, education, finances. We seek to find someone to relate to so we can feel normal, equal, on the same level with, even in misery. If the feature in us is perceived as negative, we try to hide it, but we become obsessed with others perception that we lose sight of our life and we live only according to this obsession.
The problem isn't the Nose, but the judgement, mistreatment and tear at the Acolyte's dignity as a result of it. Making him seek in someone else this same feature to ease the pain at his ego, at first, failing to accept his uniqueness , being afraid and tired of others judging him purely on this one feature .
Which brings another point that Akutagawa so delicately places in such a comically set story . In the Buddhist belief of life being suffering and one ought to release themselves from obsessions , we see the Acolyte becoming so obsessed with his Nose. Which by proxy means the opinions of others . And as a result he starts to mess up his Sutras or become distracted, losing sight of what feels important to him deep within.
With the first opportunity to change others' perception of him, he does so, gaining momentary ecstasy , but soon he sees how easily people can turn their inner thoughts outside openly and laugh at his pain , how easily people can turn on him once his misfortune no longer bears down on his shoulders (or in this case face) the criticism of society claiming compassion for someone's pain but enjoying seeing others lower than you . And if you manage to overcome your "feature ", which is seen as obstacle, then society will scrutinize you still , for one reason or another.
let go of the obsession towards others perception of you, live your life truthfully to yourself , don't try to live to please others' standards.
AND ALL OF THAT WHILE HOLDING MYSELF FROM WRITING AND ANALYSING MORE.
Ryunosuke is amazing .
July 29, 2021
This a weird one.
As always, there is a lesson to be learn. How appearance can affect people to the extent of their consciousness of certain body part could lead to their own demise. A priest named Naigu was born with six inches nose that passed his chin, its a feature that caused him difficulty in eating and daily tasks. His long nose was known throughout the town. There is a theme of appearance and religion plays here as someone who works as a priest whom should memorize religious texts and study them, he was more conscious of his nose more than others as he kept on thinking on how to shorten it and also trying to find people with the same nose as his. You could say he was obsessed at this point.
As always, there is a lesson to be learn. How appearance can affect people to the extent of their consciousness of certain body part could lead to their own demise. A priest named Naigu was born with six inches nose that passed his chin, its a feature that caused him difficulty in eating and daily tasks. His long nose was known throughout the town. There is a theme of appearance and religion plays here as someone who works as a priest whom should memorize religious texts and study them, he was more conscious of his nose more than others as he kept on thinking on how to shorten it and also trying to find people with the same nose as his. You could say he was obsessed at this point.
June 8, 2025
جالبه آدم گاهی کلی سعی میکنه که یه چیزی رو توی خودش عوض کنه بعد میبینه اصلا همون ورژن قبلی رو بیشتر دوست داشته و صرفا چون بنظر چیز عادی نبوده سعی داشته تغییرش بده نه چون خودش باهاش مشکل داشته و گاهی هم برعکس صرفا چون اون تغییر بنظر بقیه جالب نیست دوست داره به ورژن قبلی خودش برگرده وگرنه که با اون تغییرخوشحال تره.
November 6, 2023
for japanese lit 🫡
so simple but so so good
so simple but so so good
December 16, 2013
Publisher Ladder
time 60min
Discussion question
Do you have any complexes about your body parts? What?
I do not have any complexes, I have never think about that.
Would you like to try to make cosmetic surgery if you can make your complexes better.
I would not. I do not want to spend my money for such things.
This story is kind of intresting for me and tittle is also impressive.
I learnt from this book that it is better to stay natural.
time 60min
Discussion question
Do you have any complexes about your body parts? What?
I do not have any complexes, I have never think about that.
Would you like to try to make cosmetic surgery if you can make your complexes better.
I would not. I do not want to spend my money for such things.
This story is kind of intresting for me and tittle is also impressive.
I learnt from this book that it is better to stay natural.
May 13, 2016
"The human heart harbours two conflicting sentiments. Everyone of course sympathises with people who suffer misfortunes. Yet when those people manage to overcome their misfortunes, we feel a certain disappointment. We may even feel (to overstate the case somewhat) a desire to plunge them back into those misfortunes. And before we know it, we come (if only passively) to harbour some degree of hostility toward them."
September 26, 2014
No tengo buena memoria de este cuento. Recuerdo el extrañamiento.
January 13, 2015
I really like the story :)
February 21, 2017
Ryunosuke Akutagawa'nın 1916-ci ilin yanvarında nəşr olunan ikinci qısa hekayəsi "Burun".
November 11, 2024
Who wrote a book about my sister? (Hoping bro doesn't open Goodreads this time)
January 29, 2025
"The human heart harbors two conflicting sentiments. Everyone, of course, sympathizes with people who suffer misfortunes. Yet when those people manage to overcome their misfortunes, we feel a certain disappointment. We may even feel (to overstate the case somewhat) a desire to plunge them back into those misfortunes. And before we know it, we come (if only passively) to harbor some degree of hostility toward them."
This short story represents the desire to have someone to relate to in order to feel normal. Often by nature humans enjoy others suffering since it means they are not the only ones. Especially when someone has greater misery than you. Our lives are so controlled by the judgement of others. The priest in the story only did things based on other peoples opinions (wanted his nose to be smaller because nobody had a nose as big as his. Once his nose became smaller, he was first happy until people started to judge him, then he wanted his old nose back). It is impossible to please everyone so live your life how you want to, without the fear of judgement from others.
This short story represents the desire to have someone to relate to in order to feel normal. Often by nature humans enjoy others suffering since it means they are not the only ones. Especially when someone has greater misery than you. Our lives are so controlled by the judgement of others. The priest in the story only did things based on other peoples opinions (wanted his nose to be smaller because nobody had a nose as big as his. Once his nose became smaller, he was first happy until people started to judge him, then he wanted his old nose back). It is impossible to please everyone so live your life how you want to, without the fear of judgement from others.
May 23, 2024
W historiach Akuragawy po prostu coś jest, nie wiem co, coś nawiedza te proste historie o mnichach, którzy nienawidzą swojego nosa, o zwolnionych ze służby pomocnikach, o wyśmiewanych urzędnikach niższego szczebla… Potrafi świetnie pokazać że bycie zwyczajnym to największa kara, a jeśli masz jeszcze coś postrzegane jako odstające od normy to stanie się to twoim najczulszym punktem i inni nie będą mieli oporów by wyśmiać twoje próby poradzenia sobie z tym. A najlepsze - najgorsze? - jest to, że koniec końców nic się nie zmienia i nasze życie leci dalej, te opowiadania zawsze kończą się tak nagle jak historia o nosie. To tylko urywek życia, więc rzadko kiedy możemy oczekiwać zakończenia - chyba że nadejdzie śmierć
August 16, 2021
What? How does somoene even come up with a story such as this? It's a little strange but I can see the importance in learning to love yourself the way you are despite what others think.
April 17, 2022
Deep. 我就是喜欢这种 subtle 影射类的故事哈哈哈, quite brutal truths.
不知道我哪天才能摆脱对”nose” 的 obsession, and achieve self acceptance and equanimity.
不知道我哪天才能摆脱对”nose” 的 obsession, and achieve self acceptance and equanimity.
January 30, 2023
Comedic Short Story about Vanity and perspective
January 15, 2024
Great short story that relates to our modern world
October 26, 2024
people will judge you either way, so fuck it
November 6, 2024
People accept the familiar over the unfamiliar.
We always want back the things that we lose.
Imperfection exists only within our perception.
We always want back the things that we lose.
Imperfection exists only within our perception.
July 25, 2025
Fun, short little story about human nature, even if scientifically impossible. Interesting the similarities to Cyrano de Bergerac.
January 31, 2021
Wonderful study of vanity.
November 19, 2020
Thanks Bungou for introducing me to the Japanese literature.
What I find surprising about Japanese writing style is the fact that they always shift the responsibility to the reader. Its up to you what you will get away with from the story. Western stories always tell you what to think. Or at least they hint at it here and there.
In this case, you need to sit back and reflect on it for a bit. No one is giving you any clear sings "Hey! That's the message!" If you value something else than I do, then you'll interpret the story in a different way. I love it, and I hate it. My mind wants to be told what to think, it's been told for years now.
So yeah, don't look for any conclusions or messages/summaries. Read it without any expectations and see what you'll get from the story in the end.
What I find surprising about Japanese writing style is the fact that they always shift the responsibility to the reader. Its up to you what you will get away with from the story. Western stories always tell you what to think. Or at least they hint at it here and there.
In this case, you need to sit back and reflect on it for a bit. No one is giving you any clear sings "Hey! That's the message!" If you value something else than I do, then you'll interpret the story in a different way. I love it, and I hate it. My mind wants to be told what to think, it's been told for years now.
So yeah, don't look for any conclusions or messages/summaries. Read it without any expectations and see what you'll get from the story in the end.
Read
April 12, 2017Insightful and amusing in a Kafkaesque way. External appearance does play a role in boosting one's confidence and personal satisfaction, but taken to extremes it produces the opposite effect of what's desired. Any obsessive preoccupation with the ephemeral parts of the self is counter productive and cannot bring true peace and happiness.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews