Questions About An Artist of the Floating World

by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

What did I miss, that I didn't understand whether Ono or his daughter Setsuko was right about Ono having met dr. Saito 16 years ago ? I'm sure there is an answer...

Sanjuro Something not mentioned here so far: the reader is not supposed to know who was "right." One of the themes of the novel is that memory is unreliable. …moreSomething not mentioned here so far: the reader is not supposed to know who was "right." One of the themes of the novel is that memory is unreliable. This is also a theme in other works by Ishiguro. Throughout the book, on a number of occasions, Ono recounts a story, and says things like "it might not have happened quite that way," or, "I'm not sure if those were his words or if I'm adding my own words to the story." Ishiguro is interested in the deep flaws of our memory, and explores this in his work. Often, he leaves the reader in the dark as to how it "really" happened, so that the reader is just as unsure as the characters themselves.

Ono's memory in particular is shaky, because he lives with a guilty conscience, but is often trying to convince himself he just "did the best I could." This becomes the basis for the many conversations with younger men about the need for younger men to take the country in a new direction. (less)

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What does An Artist of the Floating World communicate about the relationship between generations? Help me out!

Karl Ono is a relic of pre-WW2 Japan. Imperial Japan had an incredibly insular and nationalistic culture during, and prior to WW2. He, like many, was ferve…moreOno is a relic of pre-WW2 Japan. Imperial Japan had an incredibly insular and nationalistic culture during, and prior to WW2. He, like many, was fervently proud and dedicated to Japan's cause. As an artist, he produced propaganda.
After Japan lost the war, their cultural attitude shifted. Those clinging to imperialist ideas were often shunned and ostracized. There are scenes in the book in which Ono's former students actively distance themselves from him. He's respected as an institution of the past, but practically a pariah in the current world. Ono resents that the generation of young men whom he taught, who also created pro-imperialist propaganda, won't own up to their involvement. He has the luxury, being retired, of judging them, but their generation has to deny their involvement if they have any hope of respectable careers and lives in postwar Japan.
Then there's the next generation, that of Ono's grandson. Ichiro was born a few years before the end of the war. He's growing up in a world where Western culture is prevalent. He's obsessed with American television, movies, cartoons and comics. His generation is the product of a new culture, one to which Ono can't relate.
Japan went through a relatively quick period of dramatic change, its culture in flux, its generations split by dramatic cultural shifts. (less)

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Why did Setsuko say to Ono that he was "merely" a painter and his work was not so influential like the musician who committed suicide? she was also genuinely puzzled as to why ono gave such a speech at Miai.It also seems Ono was imagining things when he thought suichi, toro or his daughters chastised him for his career.Is it similar to Mr. Stevens from "The remains of the day" who thought too highly about his career?

Alexander Kosoris I think the exchange with Setsuko where it becomes clear that their experiences differ so significantly more than anything shows that Ono's reminiscen…moreI think the exchange with Setsuko where it becomes clear that their experiences differ so significantly more than anything shows that Ono's reminiscences are made from a place of personal guilt. The main difference I see with The Remains of the Day is that Mr. Stevens' recollections appeared to focus less on guilt, and more at regret, a worry, I suppose, that he wasted his life.(less)

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Can anyone remember which city in Japan this book is set?