Exploring Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World

Introduction

Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World is a deeply introspective novel that explores themes of memory, regret, nationalism, and the role of art in society. The novel follows Masuji Ono, an aging artist who reflects on his past as a political propagandist during Japan’s imperialist years. Through Ishiguro’s use of an unreliable narrator, the novel presents a layered exploration of history, personal responsibility, and cultural transformation, to get information about this Activity click here 

About the Author

Kazuo Ishiguro, born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1954, moved to Britain at a young age and became a British citizen. His works frequently explore themes of nostalgia, regret, and memory, often using subtle, melancholic storytelling. In 2017, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his ability to uncover the "abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world."

Education and Early Career

Ishiguro studied at the University of Kent and later completed a Master’s in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. His early work focused on themes of memory and loss, as seen in A Pale View of Hills, which deals with post-war trauma and suicide, similar to An Artist of the Floating World.

Ishiguro as an Outsider Looking at Japan

Despite being born in Japan, Ishiguro’s perspective is shaped by his Western upbringing. His writing reflects an outsider’s view of Japan, much like Salman Rushdie or V.S. Naipaul writing about their ancestral homelands. This perspective allows him to highlight aspects of Japanese culture that native authors might overlook, offering a unique blend of cultural nostalgia and detachment.

Title Explained

The title, An Artist of the Floating World, holds deep significance. The term "floating world" (ukiyo) originally referred to the pleasure-seeking lifestyle of Edo-period Japan, often associated with entertainment, art, and leisure. However, in the novel, Masuji Ono moves away from this world to embrace nationalism, using art as a propaganda tool to support Japan’s imperial ambitions.

The Changing Role of Art

The novel portrays the evolution of art under political influence. Initially, Ono paints for pleasure, then shifts to commercial art, and finally embraces nationalist propaganda. This transformation reflects how art can be manipulated for ideological purposes, much like how totalitarian regimes use media to control narratives.

The Dangers of Nationalism and Imperialism

Ono's alignment with nationalism mirrors real-world historical shifts. Ishiguro critiques blind nationalism, drawing parallels to modern political propaganda, where governments justify their actions under the guise of national security. This theme remains relevant today, as political and media narratives continue to shape public opinion.

Characters and Narrative Strategy

Masuji Ono: An Unreliable Narrator

Masuji Ono, the protagonist, narrates the story in the first person, but his account is often questionable. His selective memory, evasions, and self-justifications make it difficult to trust his version of events. Ishiguro employs the technique of an unreliable narrator to emphasize how individuals reconstruct their past to cope with guilt and regret.

Key Characters and Relationships

• Masuji Ono – The protagonist, a retired nationalist artist grappling with his past.

• Setsuko & Noriko – Ono’s daughters, representing post-war Japanese values.

• Ichiro – Ono’s grandson, fascinated by American culture, symbolizing Japan’s Westernization.

• Jiro Miyake – Noriko’s former fiancé, whose family rejected the match due to Ono’s past.

• Dr. Saito – The father of Noriko’s new suitor, a professor and critic concerned about Ono’s reputation.

• Kuroda – Ono’s former student, whom Ono betrayed to the authorities.

• Chishu Matsuda – A nationalist art enthusiast who influences Ono.

• Seiji Moriyama – Ono’s former mentor, an advocate of traditional ukiyo-e art.

• Shintaro – A weaker student who remains loyal to Ono despite his past.

The Issue of Noriko’s Marriage

The central plot revolves around Noriko’s failed engagement. In post-war Japan, social status was heavily influenced by one’s past affiliations. Ono’s nationalist history casts a shadow over his family, affecting marriage negotiations. The Saito family, particularly Dr. Saito, is concerned about Ono’s reputation, highlighting the lingering consequences of wartime alliances.

Themes in An Artist of the Floating World

Memory and Regret

Ono struggles with reconciling his past choices, particularly his role in supporting imperialist Japan. His attempts to downplay or justify his past actions highlight the theme of self-deception.

The Role of Art

The novel presents multiple perspectives on art:

• Art for pleasure (ukiyo-e tradition).
• Art for commercial gain (Takeda’s business model).
• Art as propaganda (Ono’s nationalist phase).
• Art for the people (Ono’s initial vision before nationalism distorted it).
• The rejection of art (Ono’s father viewed art as useless, mirroring Plato’s view of poets as deceivers).

Intergenerational Conflict

Each generation in the novel represents a different perspective on Japan’s past:

• Ono’s father: A businessman who dismissed art as useless.

• Ono’s generation: Nationalists who later faced regret.

• Noriko and Setsuko: The post-war generation focused on rebuilding.

• Ichiro: A symbol of Westernized youth, detached from Japan’s imperial history.

The Consequences of Nationalism

Several characters, including composers and business leaders, commit suicide out of guilt for their nationalist past. This reflects Japan’s real post-war struggles, where individuals who had once supported imperialism faced moral reckoning.

Reading Key Passages

Ono’s Regret and Confession

During Noriko’s miai (marriage meeting), Ono openly admits:

"There are some who would say it is people like myself who are responsible for the terrible things that happened to this nation of ours. As far as I am concerned, I freely admit I made many mistakes."

This confession, however, is met with indifference by Dr. Saito, suggesting that Ono’s influence may have been less significant than he believes. This moment highlights the theme of self-importance and unreliable memory.

The Unreliable Narrator

Setsuko later challenges Ono’s perception:

"It is some mystery to me why father’s career should have been of any particular relevance to the negotiations. The Saitos, it would seem, were certainly not concerned."

This contradiction forces readers to reconsider how much of Ono’s guilt is justified versus exaggerated.

Conclusion: The Lessons of History

Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World masterfully explores the intersections of art, politics, and memory. Through Masuji Ono’s unreliable narration, the novel critiques nationalism and reflects on how history is shaped by those who tell it. As Japan moves towards modernization, the novel leaves readers with a lingering question: Can a society truly move forward without confronting its past?

By dissecting the narrative techniques, themes, and characters, we gain a deeper understanding of Ishiguro’s message—that history is not just about what happened, but how it is remembered and interpreted over time.

References

DoE-MKBU. “An Artist of the Floating World | About the Author - Kazuo Ishiguro | Session 1 | Sem 2 Online Class.” YouTube, 23 Feb. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zd6XLLyGvg.

---. “Title of the Novel - Explained | an Artist of the Floating World | Sem 2 Online Classes | 2021 06 17.” YouTube, 17 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=htKqgRreDtg.

---. “Characters | Narrative Strategy | an Artist of the Floating World | Sem 2 Online Class | 2021 06 17.” YouTube, 17 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1EhasEkeZ4.

---. “Themes | an Artist of the Floating World | Sem 2 Online Classes | 2021 06 18.” YouTube, 18 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y45Swhri1Fc.

---. “Reading Important Passages | an Artist of the Floating World | Sem 2 Online Classes | 2021 06 18.” YouTube, 18 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WoqKO3hHlc.

 

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