Yama's pole with a human head on top (able to discern good and evil of the dead)
Buddhist mythological reference: the pole held by King Yama (閻魔) that can see and smell the deeds of the deceased. Rare, specialized term.
See also: 閻魔
It is said that King Yama's 'seeing eye, smelling nose' pole discerns the good and evil of the dead.
fuss-pot; complaining about things in the public eye
Figurative use: a person who is overly critical or nosy, as if they have Yama's discerning pole. Rare colloquial expression.
He's like a 'seeing eye, smelling nose,' always finding fault with others.
閻魔 is King Yama himself, while 見る目嗅ぐ鼻 is the specific pole he holds.
From Buddhist mythology: the pole held by King Yama (閻魔) that has a human head on top, with eyes that see and a nose that smells the deeds of the dead. The expression literally means 'seeing eye, smelling nose.'