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042974

O-Nara-samaAuthor: Sakaguchi Ango

Original Titleお奈良さま
Author坂口 安吾
GenreModern Short Fiction
Author TypeMale Author
SummaryIn a quiet temple resides an unconventional priest burdened by an extraordinary affliction: ceaseless, thunderous flatulence since birth. Though devoted to his spiritual duties, his uncontrollable condition sparks both reverence and revulsion among parishioners. During a pivotal moment at a grieving matriarch’s bedside, his inadvertent act becomes a catalyst for tragedy and unexpected admiration, fracturing the community. While some hail his peculiar "gift" as divine, others—led by sharp-tongued critics—condemn it as vulgar disgrace. The priest’s struggle intensifies as societal scorn extends to his teenage daughter, whose friendships unravel under the weight of shame. Torn between self-acceptance and crushing guilt, he navigates a world where bodily frailty collides with rigid expectations of propriety. As tensions escalate between tradition and tolerance, his health deteriorates under the strain of secrecy, culminating in a poignant reckoning with identity and belonging. This darkly comedic tale weaves absurdity and pathos, probing the fragile line between human imperfection and spiritual dignity.