An Artist of the Floating World

by Kazuo Ishiguro

even now, I am often surprised afresh when some event, or something someone may say, reminds me of the rather high esteem in which I am held.

‘I have suspected for some time that Sensei was unaware of the high regard in which he is held by people in this city.

But how typical of Sensei’s modest nature that he is unaware of this.

it is we here at this table who alone know the extent to which that respect still falls short.

Masuji Ono.’

There was a pause, then my father said: ‘Tell me, Masuji, have you any idea what kind of a world artists inhabit?’

His father was an asshole too.

But when a man induces his wife to turn suspicious thoughts against her own father, then that is surely cause enough for resentment.

‘Those who sent the likes of Kenji out there to die these brave deaths, where are they today? They’re carrying on with their lives, much the same as ever. Many are more successful than before,

Brave young men die for stupid causes, and the real culprits are still with us.

Nobody minded idiots in those days.

I had many personal links there and was already being consulted frequently on matters of policy.

It was, I suppose, another of those instances when one is struck by the realization that one is held in rather higher esteem than one supposed.

was proud to see borne out something I had maintained for some time – namely that the new spirit of Japan was not incompatible with enjoying oneself;

then, too, there was that enormous illuminated banner suspended from the ridgepole bearing the new name of the premises against a background of army boots marching in formation.

If the Tortoise’s modesty forbade him to disguise his timid nature, it did not prevent him attributing to himself a kind of lofty intellectual air – which I for one have no recollection of.

‘I beg you to be patient with me. It is my greatest wish to learn from you, my superior colleagues, how to produce work of such quality so quickly. I have done my utmost in these past weeks to paint faster, but sadly I was forced to abandon several pictures, because the loss of quality on account of my hurrying was such that I would have disgraced the high standards of our firm. But I will do all I can to improve my poor standing in your eyes. I beg you to forgive me and to be patient a while longer.’

I myself commanded considerable respect amongst my colleagues

Ono-san, let me just thank you from my heart for all you’ve done for me.’ ‘I’ve not done very much,’ I said. ‘I just spoke my mind a few times, that’s all.’ ‘But truly, Ono-san, men like you are all too rare. It is an honour to be a colleague

There’s too much made of loyalty. All too often men talk of loyalty and follow blindly. I for one have no wish to lead my life like that.’

But he felt different about leaders in the war.

It was as though they never talked amongst themselves without having an ear open for another piece of knowledge I might impart.

‘taught me an important lesson early in my life. That while it was right to look up to teachers, it was always important to question their authority.

Except in war?

‘Incidentally, we met Dr Saito on the tram. He was travelling up to see someone.’ When I said this, my two daughters both stopped eating and looked at me with surprise.

‘An odd thing. It turns out Dr Saito met a former pupil of mine. Kuroda, in fact. It seems Kuroda’s taking up a post at the new college.’ I looked up from my bowl and saw my daughters had again stopped eating. It was clear they had just exchanged glances,

All around him were puddles of water and

Like when he last saw Kuroda.

I’d be extremely beholden to you if you’d answer any queries which may come your way with delicacy.’ ‘Of course.’ His gaze was on me, and there was a touch of amusement in his eyes. ‘With utmost delicacy.’ ‘Particularly, that is, with regards to the past.’

I realize there are now those who would condemn the likes of you and me for the very things we were once proud to have achieved.

Ono. You think perhaps I will praise you for things perhaps best forgotten.’

Noriko’s miai.

‘Well then, Father must be going blind. Or perhaps it’s just poor taste.’ ‘Poor taste? Now that’s curious. You know, Noriko, people have not on the whole associated poor taste with my name.’

suppose you might see it that way, Noriko. You never did have an artistic instinct.

remember your mother used to make just such misguided comments.’

‘Your mother was rather like you, Noriko. She had no bones about saying whatever came into her head. It’s quite honest, I suppose.’ ‘I’m sure Father knows best about such things. That’s beyond dispute, no doubt.’

‘I’m very sorry’ – he spoke very earnestly – ‘but Mr Kuroda isn’t home at present. I wonder, sir, are you perhaps a work associate?’ ‘In a manner of speaking. There were a few matters I wished to discuss with Mr Kuroda.’ ‘In that case, perhaps you’d be so good as to come in and wait. I’m sure Mr Kuroda will not be gone long, and he would very much regret it if he were to miss you.’ ‘But I don’t wish to put you to any bother.’ ‘Not at all, sir. Please, please come in.’

‘We all know now who the real traitors were. And many of them are still walking free.’

I felt it would be prudent to try and lighten Noriko’s mood somewhat, and this was the impulse behind my remarking to her as she passed through the dining room where I was sat reading: ‘It’s astonishing, Noriko, how you can spend the whole day doing nothing but preparing your appearance.

‘If Father doesn’t want to make a fuss over something as trivial as my future, then that’s quite understandable. After all, Father hasn’t even finished his newspaper yet.’

after we had been eating for several minutes, I was struck by a sudden thought; that Mitsuo’s attitude was not in fact any different from that of the rest of his family – it was simply that he was not as skilled in disguising it. From then on, I took to glancing over at Mitsuo, as though he were the clearest indicator of what the Saitos were really thinking.

Dr Saito in particular proved so expert at generating a relaxed atmosphere, that, had it not been for my awareness of young Mitsuo’s gaze on me, I might well have forgotten the gravity of the occasion and lowered my guard.

My recollection of the first time I ever met Dr Saito remains quite vivid, and I am thus confident enough

‘I am the man on whose information you have been brought here. I am Masuji Ono, the artist and member of the Cultural Committee of the Interior Department. Indeed, I am an official adviser to the Committee of Unpatriotic Activities.