This presentation explores the complexities found within Kazuo Ishiguro's renowned novel, "An Artist of the Floating World." We'll navigate the post-World War II setting of Japan, delving into the various themes, characters, and cultural elements intricately interwoven throughout the story. Throughout the slides, we'll offer a thorough summary of the plot, introducing you to the main character, Masuji Ono, and guiding you through his journey of introspection. Additionally, we'll analyze the importance of art within Japanese society, highlighting its dual role as both a reflection of individual identity and a means of societal critique.

1. ‘An Artist of The Floating World’
By Kazuo Ishiguro
Present by:-
Rahul Desai
Jay Solanki
Jayshree Khachar
Aakash Chavda

2. Table of Contents
● Introduction of Author
● Introduction of Novel
● Major Works by Ishiguro
● Historical Context
● Unreliable Narrator
● Characters
● Novel Summary
● Relevance to India
● Themes in The Novel
● Symbols
● Paintings of the Floating
World
● The Lesson of History
● Conclusion
● References

3. Introduction of Author
● The full name is Sir Kazuo Ishiguro. He is a British novelist,
screenwriter, musician and short story writer.
● Kazuo Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Then he moved to
England at the age of five and grew up in Surrey, near London.
Ishiguro's mixed cultural background deeply influences his
writing.
● He known for Lyrical Tales and general characteristics of his
writing that regret fused with subtle optimism.
● Ishiguro is celebrated for his unique and subtle writing style. His
novels often explore themes of memory, identity, and the
impact of personal choices.
● He was influenced by Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Dickens, and
Japanese writers like Tanizaki and Kawabata.
● In 2017, Kazuo Ishiguro was awarded the Nobel Prize in
literature for his works uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory
sense of connection with the world.
● Kazuo Ishiguro work with homeless charity and rights.

4. Introduction of Novel
● "An Artist of the Floating World" is a novel written by
Kazuo Ishiguro, a renowned British author of Japanese
descent. This novel published in the year 1986.
● This novel is set in a increasingly Westernized Japan or
Americanised Japan after Second World War.
● This novel's context it delves into the complexities and
challenges faced by the Japanese society in the aftermath
of the war.
● In this novel the protagonist is Masuji Ono, an aging artist
(political artist) who was once celebrated for his work as a
painter of traditional Japanese art.
● Themes of this novel like memory and reflection, cultural
shifts, art and responsibility.
● The novel serves as a critique of the societal values in
post-war Japan. And it raises questions about
accountability, personal responsibility, and the role of the
individual in shaping the collective identity.

5. (1989) (1995) (2000) (2021)
(1982)
Ishiguro’s Major Works

6. Historical Context
● The "Floating World" (ukiyo-e) refers to the urban lifestyle and entertainment culture that
flourished in Edo (present-day Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603-1868) among the merchant
class and samurai patrons.
● Despite being at the bottom of the social hierarchy, wealthy merchants gained prominence
through their patronage of the arts, including painting, printmaking, literature, music, theater,
and the pleasure quarters.
● The ukiyo-e woodblock prints depict scenes from the "Floating World," often featuring
courtesans, geisha, kabuki actors, and other denizens of the entertainment districts.
● Artists like Utamaro, Hokusai, and Eishi captured the vibrant culture of this time period in their
ukiyo-e prints, which combined images with poems and references to classical Japanese
literature.
● The novel An Artist of the Floating World is set in the years after World War II and deals with an
aging artist who had been a prominent painter of the "Floating World" during the lead-up to the
war, now grappling with his role in propagating nationalistic ideals.
● The novel explores themes of memory, regret, and the transition of Japanese society from the
insular Edo period to the modern era, reflecting on the significance and ultimate impermanence
of the "Floating World" culture.

7. Hirohito
(Emperor of Japan)
● Hirohito, born in Tokyo in 1901, was educated in
marine biology and married Princess Nagako
Kuni in 1924.
● He became emperor in 1926, known as Shōwa,
and faced debates about his role during Japan's
militaristic period.
● While some suggest he opposed militaristic
policies, others claim he was involved in
expansionist plans.
● Hirohito settled a dispute in favor of peace in
1945, announcing surrender in a historic radio
broadcast.
● He repudiated divine status for emperors in
1946, as Japan transitioned to a constitutional
monarchy with his powers curtailed.

8. ● The connection between Hirohito and the novel lies in the historical and cultural context
of Japan during the period in which the novel is set.
● Emperor Hirohito's reign spanned this tumultuous period in Japanese history.
● He was the symbolic figurehead of Japan during its imperial expansion and its eventual
defeat in World War II.
● After the war, under the Allied occupation, Hirohito renounced his divine status and
became a constitutional monarch.
● While Hirohito himself is not a character in the novel, his reign and the events of World
War II deeply influence the backdrop against which the story unfolds.
● The societal shifts, cultural changes, and the collective reflection on the past that
occurred during Hirohito's reign are integral to the thematic depth of "An Artist of the
Floating World."
The Connection between
“Hirohito and An Artist of The Floating World”

9. Unreliable Narrator
● A narrator whose trustworthiness is in doubt.
● Found in fiction and movies, spanning from children to mature
characters.
● Coined in 1961 by Wayne C. Booth in "The Rhetoric of Fiction."
● Unreliable narrators are typically first-person, but there are
arguments for second- and third-person examples.
● Sometimes the narrator's lack of reliability is immediately obvious.
● The narrator might open with a clearly false claim or admit to
mental illness.
● A story might have clues hinting at the narrator's unreliability.
● The twist might reveal the narrator's deception near the end.
● Sometimes vital information is concealed or misrepresented by
the narrator.
● Readers are prompted to reconsider their perspective on the
story.
● The narrator's unreliability might only be hinted at, leaving
interpretation open.
(1921-2005)

10. Unreliable Narrator: Masuji Ono
● Masuji Ono's tone is often defensive as he tries to justify and rationalize his past actions in
supporting the disgraced fascist regime during World War II.
● Ono defending his "declaration" about the mistakes he made as part of an influence that caused
suffering, portraying his attempt to frame it in a self-justifying manner.
● His polite and self-effacing formality in speech contrasts with the society that has now relegated
him to the margins, suggesting Ono's unreliable perspective in fully acknowledging his fall from
grace.
● His recounting of being rejected by his teacher earlier in his career for abandoning traditional art
is described as a "balanced reminiscence", implying Ono's unreliable perspective in conveying
an evenhanded view of an event that likely carried more emotional weight for him.
● Ono's elegiac tone laments the passing of traditional society, his verbal style also inadvertently
evokes "the traditional society whose passing he laments", suggesting his unreliable perspective

11. “Of course, that is all matter of many years ago now and I cannot
vouch that those were my exact words that morning”
- Masuji Ono,
“An Artist of The Floating World”

12. Masuji Ono Ichiro
Noriko
Matsuda
Shintaro
Kuroda

13. Summary
● An Artist of the Floating World" is a thought-provoking novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro, which
was published in 1986. The story takes place in post-World War II Japan, a time of great transition
and change. The protagonist, Masuji Ono, is an aging artist who reflects on his life and the
choices he has made.
● Ono, a retired painter, was once celebrated for his patriotic artwork that supported imperial
Japan during the war. However, as the political landscape shifted and the war ended, Ono finds
himself grappling with the consequences of his actions. The novel delves into the complexities of
guilt, regret, and personal responsibility.
● Through Ono's introspections and memories, we gain insights into his past life as a propagandist
for the government. As he navigates his memories, Ono must confront the truth about his own
role in promoting a nationalistic agenda. This examination forces him to question the nature of his
artistic endeavors and the impact they had on society.

14. Continue…
● The novel also explores broader themes such as the clash of traditional Japanese
values with the waves of modernization sweeping the country. Ono represents a
generation caught between the past and the present, grappling with how best to
navigate societal change and find personal redemption.
● Memory plays a crucial role in the narrative, as Ono's recollections shape the way he
views himself and the world around him. The reader is invited to ponder the reliability
of memory and the selective nature of our personal narratives.
● Overall, "An Artist of the Floating World" is a nuanced and deeply introspective novel.
It offers a profound exploration of personal identity, moral accountability, and the
complex legacy of a nation during a time of great transformation.

15. “…It’s hard to appreciate the beauty of a world when one
doubts its very validity….But I’ve long since lost all such
doubts, Ono,’ he continued. ‘When I am an old man, when I
look back over my life and see I have devoted it to the task
of capturing the unique beauty of that world, I believe I will
be well satisfied. And no man will make me believe I’ve
wasted my time.”
- Kazuo Ishiguro, An Artist of the Floating World .

16. Relevance to india
M.F. Husain, a celebrated Indian
painter, grappled with identity
questions like Masuji Ono and
faced controversies for his
depictions of cultural and
religious figures, yet remains a
significant figure in Indian art.

17. Continued…
● From June 1814 to early October 1815,
Sita Ram travelled extensively with
Francis Rawdon, also known as the
Marquess of Hastings, who had been
appointed as the governor general in
India in 1813 and held the position for a
decade.
● While not directly related, parallels can
be drawn between Ono's story and the
controversy surrounding Sita Ram's
collaboration with the British colonial
administration, exploring the ethical
dilemmas faced by artists in
oppressive regimes.

18. Indian Novels with same Themes

19. Four Aspects of Art
An Artist of the Floating World
Art For Nation
Art for Art’s Sake:
Floating World means-
Pictures of Ukiyo-e
Art For Business: Takeda’s
Studio
Art for the Poors

20. Themes in The Novel
● Role of an Art and Artist: An Artist of the Floating World shows how artists can
clash over their beliefs about art's purpose. Ono's teacher, Moriyama, thinks art
should focus on capturing beauty, while Matsuda believes it should be political and
engage with the world. Ono's father thinks art is unnecessary, and Master Takeda's
studio values mass production over creativity. Ono doesn't fully embrace any one
idea but sees the harm when one vision dominates and stifles different
perspectives.
● Intergenerational Conflict: In "An Artist of the Floating World," Ishiguro depicts four
generations of Ono's family navigating conflicts amidst Japan's evolving landscape
in the mid-twentieth century. Ono faces pressure from his traditional father to
abandon his artistic dreams. He also contends with cultural clashes with his
children, who embrace American influence. Ono wrestles with feeling like a burden
to the younger generation while seeking relevance in changing times. Eventually,
he discovers common ground with his descendants, bridging the generation gap
through family history.

21. Continue…
● Imperialism and Sovereignty: Throughout Ono's life, Japan undergoes political
upheaval. As a young man, Ono supports Japan's military power and dreams of
it becoming a global empire. He sees poverty and injustice in his city and
believes militarization can improve lives, though he doesn't fully explain how.
Japan's defeat in the war brings American imperialism, which Ono finds
humiliating and widens the gap between generations. Ishiguro emphasizes
personal motives over political outcomes, suggesting that a search for purpose
can lead to conflict and violence in an endless cycle.
● Aging: In the novel's conclusion, it's revealed that much of what Ono has
portrayed about himself isn't entirely truthful. While he once held nationalistic
beliefs, in his old age, he exaggerates his past influence. This may stem from a
fear of aging and death, as he tries to maintain a sense of significance. Ishiguro
suggests that Ono's irrational behavior is also influenced by grief over his son's
death and the loss of Japan's power after the war. Ono eventually recognizes
the value of his daughters and grandchildren as heirs to his legacy. However,
the war disrupts his ability to age gracefully, leading him to cling to an
idealized past rather than accepting a changed future.

22. Continue…
● Grief: In the novel, Ono experiences three types of grief. First, he struggles with
the unexpected loss of his wife and son during the war, leading him to distort
reality to cope. Second, he mourns the death of his friend Matsuda but finds
solace in knowing Matsuda lived a full life. Lastly, Ono grapples with the ongoing
pain of betrayal and conflict, especially when he falls out with Moriyama and his
student Kuroda. The loss of their relationships is difficult because Ono still hopes
for reconciliation, causing him to revisit his decisions and grieve anew.
● Pedagogy: In "An Artist of the Floating World," there's a complex relationship
between teachers and their talented students. Teachers want their students to
succeed but also prefer them to remain reliant on them. Ono experiences this
firsthand, both as a student and a teacher. When he becomes Moriyama's top
pupil, he starts questioning his teacher's methods, leading to his dismissal. Later,
Ono betrays his own student when he behaves in a way that Ono disapproves of.
Ishiguro suggests that power and fame as a teacher can corrupt. He implies the
importance of authority figures being flexible and open-minded, without directly
moralizing.

23. Continue…
● Marriage: The main storyline of the novel revolves around Noriko's arranged
marriage, causing tension for Ono. While Noriko's previous engagement was a love
match, this one is arranged traditionally, involving more than just the couple. Ono,
feeling isolated since the war, must face society's judgment. The marriage
negotiation exposes his insecurities, and he must present himself in public for his
daughter's sake. However, even non-arranged marriages are complicated, as
Noriko's previous engagement was broken off by her fiancé's parents. This shows
that marriages in the novel are influenced by social status, family ties, and politics.
● The Relevance of the Artist: Masuji Ono's pursuit of artistic significance in "An Artist
of the Floating World” is significant. Despite his technical skill, Ono lacks a unique
vision and instead follows different art movements for recognition. He shifts from
commercial art to nationalist propaganda during the war, claiming to follow his
beliefs but conforming to others' ideas. Ultimately, his contributions are seen as
unoriginal and insignificant, fading into obscurity as cultural trends change. The title
reflects Ono's status as an artist whose work is tied to passing trends, rather than
genuine originality, leading to his eventual irrelevance.

24. Continue…
● Memory, Self-perception and Self-deception: Unreliability of the narrator,
Ono, in the novel "An Artist of the Floating World." Ono's recollections are
distorted by his desire to avoid feelings of guilt and regret over his past actions
as a propagandist artist during World War II. The use of an unspecified "you"
when addressing his listener, omission of pivotal events, and contradictions
from other characters suggest that Ono's narrative is shaped by self-deception
and an attempt to portray himself in a favorable light. The unreliability of his
account leaves open the interpretation of whether he was a significant figure or
an irrelevant one, highlighting the ambiguity between honest self-perception
and dishonest self-deception.
● City, Nation, History: Masuji Ono's narrow focus on the physical landmarks and
districts of his city in "An Artist of the Floating World." Despite his past as a
nationalist propaganda painter, his fixation on the cityscape contrasts with the
broader impact of his wartime art, revealing him as an opportunist lacking true
conviction. However, his sharp observations suggest his true talent may lie in
capturing the physical world accurately, rather than creating propagandistic
works.

25. Symbols
● Bridge of Hesitation: The bridge in "An Artist of the Floating World" serves as
a symbolic link between Ono's physical journey home and his emotional
struggle between past memories and future uncertainties. Ono's hesitance as
a narrator reflects this internal conflict, gradually revealing his story. The
bridge's significance deepens as Ono shares its name story, highlighting its
role as both a personal attachment to the old pleasure district and a lost
symbol of a vanished subculture.
● Samurai: Samurai symbolize Japanese sovereignty and patriotism in "An
Artist of the Floating World." Ono sees them as representations of a Japan
free from foreign occupation. He includes samurai in a list of exciting
alternatives to cowboys for his grandson, highlighting their importance in his
vision of an ideal Japan. In his painting "Complacency," Ono depicts
impoverished boys in samurai-like poses, suggesting that Japan's lack of
military strength diminishes their potential for respect and admiration.
Samurai hold symbolic significance within Ono's consciousness, representing
his idealized vision of Japan.

26. Continue…
● Reception Room: In "An Artist of the Floating World," reception rooms
symbolize the enigmatic nature of people, including Ono himself. Ono's
childhood experiences in these rooms, filled with conflict and euphemistic
communication, shape his perception of others. Conversations in reception
rooms with important figures like his daughter Setsuko reveal underlying
concerns indirectly. Ishiguro uses this symbol to explore the novel's theme of
implication, adding tension to the narrative.
● Sake: In "An Artist of the Floating World," sake symbolizes a Japanese
masculinity to Ono, who wants to share it with his grandson Ichiro. However,
their differing views on its significance highlight the subjective nature of
symbolism. While Ono sees it as linked to masculinity, Ichiro seems less
concerned with its symbolic meaning, suggesting a detachment from its
cultural significance.

27. Continue…
● Cowboy: Ono is upset when he learns his grandson likes to pretend to be the
Lone Ranger because cowboys symbolize American power and cultural
dominance. This offends Ono, as it disregards Japanese culture and reminds
him of Japan's thwarted expansionist goals.
● Lanterns: In the novel, lanterns symbolize Mori-san's focus on the transient
beauty of life and the importance of paying attention to small details. They
represent an aesthetic outlook that values everyday moments over ideological
or commercial concerns.
● Gardens: In the novel, gardens symbolize a harmonious collaboration between
humans and nature, free from ideology. Ono's true passion lies in depicting the
natural world, rather than the subjects he pursued for ambition. Despite his
earlier focus on other influences, Ono ultimately finds solace in painting
gardens, suggesting a return to his true passion and a desire for control over
nature.

28. Paintings of the Floating World
● Japanese prints, such as Hokusai's Great
Wave, have been renowned in Europe
and America for over a century, as
famous as painting of Mona Lisa.
Interestingly, the original paintings
behind these prints are often
overlooked, highlighting a peculiar irony
in art history.
● In the West, there's been a big focus on
collecting and enjoying the prints
themselves, but not as much attention
has been given to understanding the
original paintings that inspired them.
● The artist who made the prints, were
painters and illustrators, not only
printers.

29. Continue…
● In Japan, people use the term “ukiyo-e” to
describe both prints and paintings, recognizing
that both are connected.
● Japan underwent a significant change in
Tokugawa period, which lasted from 1600 to
1868. In the late sixteenth century, Tokugawa
Ieyasu (1543-1616) had recently finished
gaining control and bringing an end to over a
hundred years of fighting and turmoil in Japan.
● His efforts contributed to the significant
change in Japanese society, which resulted in
outlowing Christians from Japan, isolating
Japan from outer world.
● This grown is significant in Edo district in
Japan.
● Nowhere was the pursuit of pleasure more
apparent than in the "floating world" of
amusement districts that became unique
features of Japanese cities at their core.

30. ● Courtesan and Attendants
● Attributed to Engetsudo.
● Standing Beauty,
Reading a Letter.
● Teisai Hokuba

31. ● Party in a Boat
● Teisai Hokuba

32. The Lesson of History
● Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "An Artist of the Floating World" employs the character
Masuji Ono and his unreliable narration to impart a moral lesson about facing and
understanding past errors.
● Ono, an aging artist, was involved in Japan's imperialist and militaristic movement
before and during WWII. The novel follows his struggle to accept his role in that
movement after Japan lost the war.
● Ono’s inability to accept history is not unique, this reflects how people often
choose to ignore, forget, or misunderstand significant social forces when
considering history.
● Critics, Walkowitz and Wong argues that, the novel uses the gap in time between
when the story takes place (during Ono's time in imperial Japan) and the present
day when the novel was written to convey a moral message.
● The "historical distance" allows readers to observe how societal values and ideas
of what's right can change over time. What Ono thought was right in his time is
seen as wrong from the perspective of the post-war era.

33. Continue…
● The article suggests that Ishiguro's stories don't offer comfort or easy
answers. Instead, they show how historical pain continues and how humans
struggle to learn from past mistakes and tragedies.
● Despite having good intentions, humanity still cannot completely abandon
or overcome the darkest parts of its historical legacy.

34. Conclusion
● To sum up, "An Artist of the Floating World" takes us
from pre-war imperialistic Japan to post-war
Westernized Japan, where Masuji Ono struggles with
his past, and searches his identity in Westernized
Japan. Through Ono's journey, author Kazuo Ishiguro
explores past memory, shame, and truth. The novel
reminds us how history shapes us and makes us think
about what's right and wrong. It urges us to think
about our own pasts and how we deal with memories
and making things right.

35. References
● Howard, Ben. “A Civil Tongue: The Voice of Kazuo Ishiguro.” The Sewanee Review, vol.
109, no. 3, 2001, pp. 398–417. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27549059. Accessed 17
Mar. 2024.
● Ishiguro, Kazuo. An Artist of the Floating World. Faber & Faber, 2009.
● Jenkins, Donald. “Paintings of the Floating World.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum
of Art, vol. 75, no. 7, 1988, pp. 244–238. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25160038.
Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.
● Mason, Gregory, and Kazuo Ishiguro. “An Interview with Kazuo Ishiguro.” Contemporary
Literature, vol. 30, no. 3, 1989, pp. 335–47. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1208408.
Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.
● Mander, Gabrielle. “Kazuo Ishiguro | Biography, Books, & Facts.” Britannica, 16 January
2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kazuo-Ishiguro. Accessed 17 March 2024.
● Osaki, Amy Boyce. “Instructional Resources: The Floating World Revisited: 18th Century
Japanese Art.” Art Education, vol. 49, no. 3, 1996, pp. 25–36. JSTOR,
https://doi.org/10.2307/3193589. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.

36. ● Osaki, Amy Boyce. “Instructional Resources: The Floating World Revisited: 18th
Century Japanese Art.” Art Education, vol. 49, no. 3, 1996, pp. 25–36. JSTOR,
https://doi.org/10.2307/3193589. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.
● Reeves, Philip. “M.F. Husain in the Center of India Art Controversy.” NPR, 29 May 2007,
https://www.npr.org/2007/05/29/10438377/m-f-husain-in-the-center-of-india-art-
controversy. Accessed 18 March 2024.
● Tilak, Sudha G. “Sita Ram: The unknown Indian artist who painted for British rulers.” BBC,
16 November 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67412025. Accessed 18
March 2024.
● WRIGHT, TIMOTHY. “No Homelike Place: The Lesson of History in Kazuo
Ishiguro’s ‘An Artist of the Floating World.’” Contemporary Literature, vol. 55, no. 1,
2014, pp. 58–88. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43297947. Accessed 17 Mar.
2024.

37. Thank You