The Nose (Symbol)
Zenchi's nose embodies his own source of suffering. He centers his identity, interactions with others, daily tasks, and all other aspects of his life on his nose. Those around him are distanced by his nose as well, viewing him as unfriendly because of the vanity they perceive in how he's influenced by his nose. By the end of the story, Zenchi realizes that if he did not worry so much about his nose, he could achieve his own version of "normalcy" in his life. As a result, the nose represents the vanity he shows throughout the story, his insecurities at not fitting in with everyone else, and how his perception of an abnormality is causing him undue pain.
Temples (Motif)
Temples are a location for letting go of worldly worries, and in "The Nose" are used to juxtapose the intended purification of the soul with Zenchi's worldly concerns. While Zenchi is a priest at this temple, he does not center his life on purifying his soul; instead, he focuses entirely on his nose, which is of mortal flesh and therefore has little weight on his afterlife. Despite living in a temple, Zenchi forgets its purpose and only realizes it at the end, when he learns to let go of his insecurities. The temple thus not only provides the setting of the story, but also comes to represent the state of mind Zenchi achieves at the end when he learns a valuable lesson about accepting oneself and focusing on what matters on a spiritual level.
Mirrors (Motif)
The mirrors symbolize vanity and its effect on one's identity. Zenchi is originally depicted as being obsessed with mirrors because he wishes to see how he might change the length of his nose, but sees that the reflected image only confirms what others must view of him. Following his nose-shortening process, he looks into a mirror again and is satisfied with the reflected image because it shows what he has always dreamt of as conforming to everyone else's image. In both instances, the mirror becomes a tool to mold Zenchi's identity and self-perception. Through the mirror, Zenchi perceives himself as either being part of a community or not belonging, all because of his nose. As a result, mirrors in "The Nose" represent the influence that one's self-absorption can have on one's understanding of oneself.
The Wooden Stick (Symbol)
The wooden stick represents discomfort. It appears in "The Nose" two times: at the very beginning and in the end of the story. At first, it is just a tool to help Zenchi while eating because his nose will get in the way otherwise. This makes him feel uncomfortable and stokes his insecurities. However, the second time, the stick is shown being used to beat a dog while the page who holds it mocks the dog for his "nose," using the stick to make a clear connection between the dog and Zenchi. Both times, the stick is presented in a negative light—first as a source for Zenchi's embarrassment, the second as a source for Zenchi's anger. As a result, the stick takes on a connotation of unrest at the current state, and a longing to find a solution to the suffering Zenchi confronts due to his own self-absorption.
The Sun (Symbol)
The rising sun is a symbol of clarity and peace following a realization. After a restless night, Zenchi wakes the next day to find his nose has returned to "normal," or has returned to the state it was in before it was altered. However, he isn't upset with it as he was before, but is now content with his nose at it is. In other words, his understanding of himself has been illuminated following a dark trial, just like the sun illuminates the world after a dark night. In this way, the rising sun symbolizes Zenchi's realization that he can accept himself as he is and does not have to shape his identity through his insecurities.
