Snakes and Earrings
Encyclopedia
is a novel written by the Japan
ese author Hitomi Kanehara
in 2003, and it won the 2003 Akutagawa Prize
for literature
. It was translated into English by David Karashima. In 2007
, a film-version directed by Yukio Ninagawa
was released.
, decides to split her tongue. It follows her feelings at this time, and her slow spiral downwards into alcoholism
. The story ends with Lui's own tragic discovery about her lover and the mysterious tattoo artist she has grown entranced by.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese author Hitomi Kanehara
Hitomi Kanehara
is an award-winning Japanese novelist.-Biography:A high school drop-out since the age of 15, Kanehara pursued her passion for writing with the support of her father, Mizuhito Kanehara, a literary professor and translator of children's literature. She was born and currently lives in Tokyo.She wrote...
in 2003, and it won the 2003 Akutagawa Prize
Akutagawa Prize
The is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa...
for literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. It was translated into English by David Karashima. In 2007
2007 in film
This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
, a film-version directed by Yukio Ninagawa
Yukio Ninagawa
is a Japanese theatre director, particularly known for his Japanese language productions of Shakespeare plays and Greek tragedies. He has directed Hamlet differently six times....
was released.
Synopsis
The story follows several months in the life of Lui, a young woman who, while exploring body modificationBody modification
Body modification is the deliberate altering of the human body for any non-medical reason, such as aesthetics, sexual enhancement, a rite of passage, religious reasons, to display group membership or affiliation, to create body art, shock value, or self expression...
, decides to split her tongue. It follows her feelings at this time, and her slow spiral downwards into alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. The story ends with Lui's own tragic discovery about her lover and the mysterious tattoo artist she has grown entranced by.
Characters
- Lui (中沢 ルイ Nakazawa Lui), a nineteen-year-old woman who claims to be named after Louis VuittonLouis VuittonLouis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
. - Ama (雨田 和則 Amada Kazunori), Lui's eighteen-year-old boyfriend.
- Shiba-san (柴田 キヅキ Shibata Kizuki), a 24-year-old horishiIrezumiIrezumi is a Japanese word that refers to the insertion of ink under the skin to leave a permanent, usually decorative mark; a form of tattooing....
(Japanese tattoo artist), body piercerBody piercingBody piercing, a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice...
and bisexual sadistSadism and masochism as medical termsIn psychiatry, the terms sadism and masochism describe a personality type characterized by the actor or actrix deriving pleasure and gratification from inflicting physical pain and humiliation ; and from suffering pain and humiliation upon the self ; such pleasure often is sexual, but not...
. - Maki (マキ), a friend of Lui. A 'barbieBarbieBarbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
-girl.'