Izumi Kyōka’s A Tale of Three Who Were Blind is a story that explores the idea of blindness both physical and metaphorical and the way it affects human perception, relationships, and understanding. Each of the three blind individuals in the novel has a distinct experience of being blind, both literally and figuratively. The narrative highlights the boundaries of human comprehension and the ways in which people’s perspectives influence how they engage with the world.

Plot Summary:

Three blind men meet and develop an odd friendship in the little village where the narrative is set. They all come from diverse backgrounds and have distinct perspectives on being blind, which influences their personalities and way of life.

The first blind man is a straightforward middle-aged man. He has never had sight because he was born blind. He leads a modest existence and uses his other senses—particularly touch and hearing—to get by. Despite his inability to see, he is happy with his life and does not feel constrained by his blindness. Although he has learnt to depend on others for assistance when needed, he continues to live life to the fullest despite his impairment. He doesn’t think about what he can’t experience and is content with the world.

On the other hand, the second blind man wasn’t always blind. Later in life, an accident caused him to lose his sight. Compared to the previous man, this one battles his blindness somewhat more. He feels a great feeling of loss as he recalls the world he used to see. He regrets the accident that cost him his sight and longs to have it back. Because he feels that his life is no longer worth living, he frequently withdraws from others and becomes furious at the world as a result of his emotional struggles. He is overcome with despair and unable to believe that he will never see again.

The viewpoint of the third blind man is completely different. Unlike the second man, he never experienced the world of sight because of an illness that caused him to lose his sight. He does not, however, readily accept his blindness, in contrast to the previous guy. He attempts to understand his predicament and is always looking for answers. His inquisitiveness prompts him to consider the nature of life, reality, and what it means to be blind. The most pensive of the three, this blind guy frequently questions if those who are able to see are indeed more enlightened or whether they are blind themselves. His pursuit of knowledge causes him to become more reflective and introspective as he looks for significance in his blindness.

The three blind guys start exchanging viewpoints and experiences as they engage with one another. Because of their individual experiences, they initially each have a limited perspective on the world. The first blind guy attempts to convince the others that being blind is not a curse and is happy with his existence. But this viewpoint is incomprehensible to the second blind guy, who maintains that his blindness is a horrible calamity that has deprived him of all he previously loved. The third blind guy, who questions the nature of seeing and if seeing actually enlightens one, is more skeptic but more open-minded.

Together, the three guys spend time learning from one other. The first blind guy shows the others how to accept their fate and find happiness in the little things, like the sun’s warmth on their skin or the sounds of nature. Even though he still laments the loss of his previous life, the second blind guy gradually comes to terms with the fact that he is permanently blind. In the meantime, the third blind guy keeps looking for a deeper meaning, attempting to figure out why he is blind and whether it has any philosophical or spiritual importance.

As the narrative goes on, the three blind men come to realize that their blindness is a metaphor for how people are oblivious to life’s most profound realities as well as a physical condition. They recognize that many individuals, even those who are able to see, are blind in their hearts and minds, and that sight by itself does not equate to comprehension. As they begin to view the world through one other’s metaphorical eyes, this discovery draws them closer together.

The three blind guys ultimately discover a certain calm and comprehension. They understand that being physically or emotionally blind does not define who they are. They realize that everyone is blind in some manner and that the only way they can start to see the world for what it is is by sharing experiences and understanding. They now know that genuine sight is more than just physical vision; it is the capacity to see and comprehend life’s most profound realities, which transcend outward appearances.

The narrative concludes with uncertainty. Even though the three blind men have gained valuable knowledge from one another, it is uncertain if they have fully comprehended the situation or if they will keep looking for answers. This ambiguity implies that the path to self-awareness and enlightenment is continuous and never quite finished, reflecting the complexity of the human experience.