"An Artist of the Floating World" By - 'Kazuo Ishiguro'.

 Hello Readers! 

This blog is based on Painting Artist of Japan 'Masuji Ono' and their life, so this task is assigned by 'Dr. Dilip Barad sir' as a part of Flipped Learning activity. For more information on The novel "An Artist of the floating World" By Kazuo Ishiguro. click here, An Artist of Floating world by Kazuo Ishiguro

Here, Sir's blog on this novel click here,  Sir's blog on Novel'An Artist of the floating world' so, now we are going to Understand the first writer's introduction by this video:

Video-1 On Writer 'Kazuo Ishiguro' :

• Kazuo Ishiguro's Background:

     Born in Nagasaki, Japan, but moved to Britain at a young age.

    A Nobel Prize-winning author known for exploring memory, regret, and subtle optimism.

    His works often delve into the "abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world."

• "An Artist of the Floating World" Overview:

     Set in post-World War II Japan.

    Focuses on Masuji Ono, an aging artist reflecting on his past.

     Ono's history involves creating political propaganda for imperialist Japan.

• Outsider Perspective:

     Ishiguro's position as a Japanese-born British writer offers a unique viewpoint on Japanese culture.

     This outsider perspective can provide fresh insights.

• Themes of Uprootedness:

    The video explores the feelings of being uprooted from one's culture.

     Ishiguro is seen as a diaspora writer who explores Japanese culture from a British context.

Video-2  On The Title of 'An Artist of the floating World' :

Here's, a summary of the video about the title of Kazuo Ishiguro's "An Artist of the Floating World":

• Meaning of the title: The title refers to the main character, an artist named Masuji Ono, and the "floating world" which represents a world that is changing. The floating world also refers to a specific art style and cultural period in Japan.
• Story overview: The story is about an old artist revisiting his memories. During World War II, the artist made paintings supporting nationalism. After the war, people regretted their nationalistic actions. The artist's values decreased as the world changed.
• Historical context: The video discusses the political climate in Japan leading up to and during World War II, including the rise of imperialism and the attack on neighboring countries. It also touches on the role of political leaders and private companies in promoting national interests.
• Artist's regret: The video highlights that the artist experiences deep regret for changing his path and creating paintings that supported the war.
• Floating world: The "floating world" represents a specific period in Japanese history (Edo period) characterized by a focus on pleasure and entertainment. It also refers to a style of graphic paintings from that era.
• Artist's change of path: The artist initially painted scenes of pleasure but was later influenced to create art supporting the war effort.

This video delves into the meaning behind the title of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, "An Artist of the Floating World," while also providing a concise summary of the story. The narrative centers on Ono, an aging artist who is grappling with memories from his past, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world. The historical context is crucial, placing the story in imperial Japan during the lead-up to World War II. The video explores themes of nationalism and the responsibility of individuals, including artists, who contributed to the war effort through propaganda. Ono's personal journey is marked by regret, as he reflects on his earlier support for nationalistic ideals. The "floating world" is explained as both a concept representing a static, unchanging world and a reference to Japan's Edo period, a time characterized by cultural and political development alongside a lifestyle of pleasure and entertainment. The video highlights Ono's transformation from an artist depicting scenes of enjoyment to one creating art for the war effort, a shift that ultimately leads to remorse.

Video-3 On Characters and Narrative Technique :

In this video, let's delve deeper into the characters, plot, and narrative strategy of "An Artist of the Floating World," expanding on the previous points:

◾️Characters 

• Masuji Ono:
  • He's an aging artist struggling with his past as a propagandist.
  • His narration is filtered through selective memory and self-justification, making him an unreliable narrator.
  • He demonstrates a complex mix of pride, denial, and subtle regret.
  • His relationships with his daughters reveal his desire to maintain control and protect his reputation.
• Satsuko:
  • Ono's practical and concerned elder daughter.
  • She is worried about the impact of Ono's past on her family, especially Noriko's marriage prospects.
  • She represents the post-war generation's desire to move forward and distance themselves from the past.
• Noriko:
  • Ono's younger daughter, whose marriage is a central concern.
  • She embodies the anxieties of young women in post-war Japan.
  • Her future is tied to the social perception of her father.
• Ichiro:
  • Satsuko's son, representing the new, post-war generation.
  • His admiration for strength and heroism contrasts with Ono's fading influence.
  • He symoblizes the changing values of Japanese society. 
• Seiji Moriyama :
  • Ono's former mentor, representing a more traditional and aesthetic approach to art.
  • Their relationship highlights the conflict between art for art's sake and art for political purposes.
• Kuroda:
  • One of Ono's former students.
  • His treatment after the war is a source of anxiety for Ono, reminding him of his past actions.
  • His experiences represent the harsh consequences of the war on those associated with the former regime.

◾️Narrative Strategy 

• Unreliable Narrator:
  • Ono's memories are presented as fragmented and biased, reflecting his attempts to rationalize his past.
  • The reader must piece together the truth by recognizing the gaps and contradictions in his narrative.
  • This technique creates a sense of ambiguity and forces the reader to question the nature of memory and history.
• Memory and Selective Recall:
  • The novel is structured around Ono's recollections, which are triggered by everyday events.
  • He often avoids or downplays his role in promoting nationalistic propaganda.
  • He will often change the subject, or create a new memory to replace a bad one.
• Subtle Emotional Undercurrents:
  • Ishiguro uses subtle language and understatement to convey Ono's emotional state.
  • The reader must pay close attention to the nuances of his narration to understand his true feelings.
  • The book is very good at what is not said.

◾️Plot Summary 

• Post-War Setting:
  • The novel captures the atmosphere of post-war Japan, with its sense of uncertainty and social change.
  • Ono's attempts to navigate this new world reveal the lingering effects of the war on individuals and society.
• Marriage Negotiations:
  • The negotiations for Noriko's marriage serve as a microcosm of the larger social and political tensions.
  • Ono's efforts to clear his name highlight the importance of reputation and social standing.
• Art and Politics:
  • The novel explores the complex relationship between art and politics, questioning the artist's responsibility to society.
  • Ono's shift from aesthetic art to political propaganda reflects the pressures of the time.

• Reflection and Reconciliation:

➡️      In the final sections of the novel, Ono begins to confront his past and acknowledge his mistakes.

             His acceptance of the new Japan suggests a tentative sense of reconciliation.

            The ending is very open to interpretation. 

Video-4  On Themes :

The novel "An Artist of the Floating World" explores several themes, including:

• Politicization of art: The novel examines how art can be influenced by political ideologies and how artists navigate their roles in a changing political landscape.
• Unreliable narrator: The story is told from the perspective of a narrator whose perception of events may be biased or incomplete, prompting the reader to question the truthfulness of the narrative.¹
• Responsibility: The characters grapple with the consequences of their past actions and the need to accept responsibility for their choices.²
• Changing values: The novel reflects on the shifting values in post-World War II Japan and the clash between traditional and modern ideals.³
• Memory, self-perception, and self-deception: The protagonist struggles with his memories and attempts to reconcile his past actions with his present self-image, often resorting to self-deception.⁴
• The relevance of the artist: The story explores the role and purpose of artists in society, questioning their ability to create lasting change or impact.
• Family reputation, family secrets, and familial loss: The characters are concerned with maintaining their family's reputation and deal with the impact of past secrets and losses.⁵
• Intergenerational conflict: The novel portrays conflicts between different generations, particularly in the context of post-war Japan, as younger generations challenge the values of their elders.⁶
• City, nation, history: The narrative focuses on the protagonist's personal experiences within a specific city, while also touching upon broader themes of nationalism, imperialism, and historical change.

Vedio-5 On Reading Important Passage:

 

This Fifth video, discusses Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, "An Artist of the Floating World," focusing on important passages and themes.

Here's a summary:

• Narrative Structure and Style: The novel is divided into four parts, each marked by month and year, starting with October 1948. The narrator, Masuji Ono, uses the word "you" frequently, addressing the reader as a listener to his memories. This creates a tone where Ono seeks sympathy and understanding from the reader. 
• Unreliable Narrator: Masuji Ono is presented as an unreliable narrator, a term coined by Wayne C. Booth. Ono contradicts himself, has memory gaps, and may lie to other characters. 
• Key Scenes and Themes:
  • Miai Ceremony: During Norika's miai (engagement ceremony), Ono reflects on his past and expresses regret for his nationalistic actions. He admits his mistakes and their harmful impact on the nation. 
  • Yukio Naguchi: Ono defends the singer Yukio Naguchi, who committed suicide, drawing parallels to his own desire for pardon from the younger generation. 
  • Painting Transformation: The video shows and discusses Ono's painting, which evolved from depicting poverty ("complacency") to promoting war ("eyes to the horizon"), this symbolizes Ono's shift from depicting the "floating world" to embracing nationalism. 
  • Matsuda's Influence: Matsuda, a nationalist, persuades Ono to create art with political and nationalistic messages. 
  • Confrontation with Teacher: Ono tells his teacher, Seiji Muriyama, that he can no longer remain an artist of the floating world. 
  • Daughter's Doubts: Ono's daughter, Satsuko, questions his significance as an artist, adding to the unreliability of his narrative. 
  • Final Discussion: A conversation with the dying Matsuda reveals their shared regret for their narrow perspectives and the consequences of their actions. 
• Regret and Reflection: The video concludes by emphasizing the themes of regret, the consequences of nationalism, and the importance of historical persecution, Ono and others realize their mistakes, highlighting the dangers of a narrow view of the world. 

◾️References:

“An Artist of the Floating World, About the Author Kazuo Ishiguro.” DOE-MKBU, Dilip Barad , 18 June 2021, youtu.be/_Zd6XLLyGvg?si=i2tLnEPnVUWkfJrj. Accessed 02 Mar. 2025.

“Characters and Narrative Strategy of ‘An Artist of the Floating World.’” DOE-MKBU, Dilip Barad , 17 June 2021, youtu.be/z1EhasEkeZ4?si=gTVw9FDgIKKoUCJY. Accessed 02 Mar. 2025.

"Reading Important Passage of ‘An Artist of the Floating World.’” DOE-MKBU, Dilip Barad , 18 June 2021, youtu.be/-WoqKO3hHlc?si=KZkIwtwWn7SKgNMN. Accessed 02 Mar. 2025.

“Title of the Novel’An Artist of the Floating World’.” DOE-MKBU, Dilip Barad , 17 June 2021, youtu.be/htKqgRreDtg?si=qvMrvmlpbRg-TkcI. Accessed 02 Mar. 2025.

“Themes of ‘An Artist of the Floating World.’” DOE-MKBU, Dilip Barad , 17 June 2021, youtu.be/Y45Swhri1Fc?si=ni1qr22fjMy4eEHq. Accessed 02 Mar. 2025.

Thank you......!