The Nose

Interesting Facts

• The story "The Nose" is one of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's early works, published in 1916, which brought the author widespread recognition.
• The plot of the story is based on an ancient Japanese legend about a monk with an extraordinarily long nose, making the work an example of using folkloric motifs in literature.
• The story "The Nose" explores themes of human pride and vanity, while also mocking the pursuit of external perfection.
• In this work, Akutagawa uses a satirical style to emphasize the absurdity of the protagonist's situation.
• The story was highly praised by Akutagawa's contemporaries, including the renowned Japanese writer Natsume Sōseki, who noted the author's talent in creating vivid and memorable images.