Snakes and Earrings (2003) is the English language translation of Hebi ni Piasu (蛇にピアス, "Snakes and piercings") (ISBN 0525948899), a novel by Japanese author Hitomi Kanehara, which won the 2003 Akutagawa Prize for literature. The translation was done by David Karashima.

The story follows several months in the life of Lui, a young woman who, while exploring body modification, decides to split her tongue. It follows her feelings at this time, and follows her slow spiral downwards into alcoholism. The story ends with Lui's own tragic discovery about her lover and the mysterious tatoo artist she has grown to become entranced by.

Characters

• Lui(中沢 ルイ Nakazawa Lui), a nineteen year-old woman who claims to be named after Louis Vuitton
• Ama (雨田 和則 Amada Kazunori), Lui's eighteen year-old boyfriend
• Shiba-san (柴田 キヅキ Shibata Kizuki), a twenty-four year-old horishi (Japanese tattoo artist),body piercer and sadist.
• Maki (マキ), a friend of Lui. A 'barbie-girl'.

2003 novels | Japanese novels