Sunday, 2 March 2025

An artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

This blog is a part of the Flipped Learning activity provided by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the blog.here 

Here is the link to the professor's research article for background readingHere



1.About the Author


In this video session regarding Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel 'An Artist of the Floating World', the discussion centers around the author, the significance of the novel’s title, and a detailed summary of its characters and plot. The session emphasizes Ishiguro’s background as a Japanese-born British novelist whose works intricately explore themes of memory, regret, and the complexity of human relationships. Through his restrained prose and introspective storytelling, Ishiguro crafts narratives that delve into the psychological landscapes of his protagonists, many of whom struggle with their past decisions and attempt to reconcile with shifting societal values.  

The narrator in 'An Artist of the Floating World', Masuji Ono, is identified as unreliable, a narrative strategy that adds depth and ambiguity to the storytelling. Ishiguro employs this technique to explore how memory is selective and shaped by personal biases, making Ono’s reflections on his past both poignant and questionable. As he recounts his former prestige as an artist who once supported Japan’s imperialist agenda, he attempts to justify his actions, yet subtle contradictions in his narrative invite readers to question his reliability. This layered approach to storytelling creates a compelling psychological portrait of a man caught between nostalgia and an unspoken sense of guilt.  

The discussion also highlights the contrast between Ishiguro’s subtle optimism and the stark pessimism found in George Orwell’s 1984. While Orwell presents a dystopian world where history is forcibly rewritten and truth is obliterated by totalitarian control, Ishiguro’s novel explores the internal rewriting of memory, shaped by personal and societal changes. Unlike 1984, where the protagonist is ultimately crushed by an oppressive system, An Artist of the Floating World offers a more introspective and subdued meditation on the passage of time, the malleability of truth, and the human tendency to reshape the past for self-preservation. This nuanced contrast between external authoritarian control and internal psychological denial reveals Ishiguro’s distinctive approach to examining historical legacy and personal responsibility.  

Ishiguro’s works often reflect a deep longing for the past and an exploration of both personal and collective memory, set against the backdrop of a post-war Japan that is undergoing rapid transformation under Western influence. Through the lens of Masuji Ono’s recollections, the novel examines Japan’s shifting cultural identity, exploring how older generations who once upheld traditional values and nationalistic ideals struggle to adapt to the country’s evolving post-war ethos. Ono, as a representative of this older generation, finds himself at odds with the attitudes of his daughters and grandson, who embody Japan’s new Westernized outlook. His experiences mirror the larger national conflict between preserving tradition and embracing modernization, highlighting the tension between past and present.  

The narrator’s perspective as an outsider within his own changing society provides a unique lens through which to examine the nuances of Japanese culture, artistic integrity, and generational conflict. Ishiguro’s exploration of dislocation, both personal and cultural, resonates with broader themes of belonging and alienation, making his work particularly relevant to postcolonial and diasporic literature. This novel, like many of Ishiguro’s works, addresses the challenges and insights that come from being uprooted—either physically, as in the case of immigrants, or metaphorically, as with Ono, who struggles to find his place in a world that no longer aligns with his values.  

This examination of identity, memory, and perspective continues to resonate with global audiences and echoes the experiences of other writers who navigate between cultures, such as Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, and J.M. Coetzee. Their works similarly interrogate the complexities of historical legacy, displacement, and the construction of identity in an ever-changing world. Ishiguro’s restrained yet deeply evocative storytelling fosters a rich dialogue about how individuals perceive their past, how societies rewrite their histories, and how memory serves both as a means of self-understanding and as a tool for self-deception. Through 'An Artist of the Floating World' Ishiguro invites readers to reflect on their own memories, questioning how time and perspective shape the way we interpret our lives and the world around us.


2. Title Explained


'An Artist of the Floating World' explores the aftermath of Japan's defeat in World War II, focusing on Masuji Ono's introspection and regret over his wartime contributions. His selective memory and self-delusion allow him to maintain dignity, despite the societal shift away from the nationalist ideologies he once supported. The novel examines the role of the artist in society, highlighting the ethical responsibilities of artists and the lasting consequences of their work. Ono's evolving understanding of his legacy underscores the transient nature of both personal reputation and artistic value as societal values change. Through these themes, the novel challenges readers to consider the moral obligations of artists and the enduring impact of their creations.

3.Characters and Narrative Strategy


In this video, the speaker explores Kazuo Ishiguro’s 'An Artist of the Floating World', focusing on its protagonist, Masuji Ono, and the novel's themes of nationalism, regret, and artistic integrity. Ono, an unreliable narrator, reflects on his past in post-war Japan, particularly his relationships with his daughters and his complicity in wartime propaganda. The video examines the first-person narrative, the role of art in Japanese culture, and the conflicting motivations behind artistic expression. Ultimately, it highlights Ono’s regrets and the broader implications of his story within Japan’s historical context.

4.Thematic Study of the Novel

In this video session, the discussion revolves around the central and peripheral themes in Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “An Artist of the Floating World.” The protagonist, Masuji Ono, aspires to be more than just an artist of superficial beauty; he seeks to voice the struggles of the poor and engage with significant national issues. The narrative is characterized by a deceptive first-person perspective, leading readers to question Ono’s reliability. The plot is driven by the marriage negotiations of Ono’s daughter, Norika, which reflect societal pressures in traditional Japan. As the story unfolds, it reveals Ono’s complex identity, once revered as a prominent painter but now facing disdain from former admirers, including his own students. The discussion also touches on broader themes such as the role of art and artists in society, nationalism, intergenerational conflict, grief, pedagogy, and the implications of unreliable narration—all of which are intricately woven into Ono’s reflections on his life and choices


5.Reading Important Passages from the Novel

In this video session, the discussion revolves around Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “An Artist of the Floating World.” The session features an in-depth analysis of key passages and themes from the narrative. The narrator, Masuji Ono, presents his memories from post-World War II Japan, navigating through the complexities of national identity, personal betrayal, and the notion of art in times of political turmoil. The novel is structured in four parts, each marked by a specific date, reflecting the narrator’s journey from a once-celebrated artist to a figure grappling with his past decisions and the societal changes around him. The narrator’s use of the second person “you” serves to engage the reader directly, creating a sense of intimacy while simultaneously emphasizing his unreliable nature. Throughout the session, the themes of regret, the consequences of nationalism, and the struggle for redemption emerge, offering a profound commentary on the historical context of Japan during the late 1940s.


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