An Artist of the Floating World
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Description: In the original, the words used for the passing world in the title are “ukiyo-e”, better known by the translation “floating world”. However, considering that the action takes place in Japan after World War II, and has little connection to the specifics of Edo period society, I think it is appropriate to use the phrase passing world. The story captures some of the tensions specific to Japan’s transition from “traditional” values to Westernization, the labeling of the “old” and the efforts made to adapt to a new context.
Year: 1986
MyRating (1-5): ***