Ono's own father did not approve his choice of hobby and so tried bashing his dream by saying,
"Artists' live in squalor and poverty. They inhabit a world which gives them every temptation to become weak-willed and depraved. "(46). Why at this given moment? Ono is someone who wants to live his life for himself by escaping into the mystery and fantasy that's art. Maybe Ono's dad knows this but doesn't want his only male son to put the family name in shame by becoming a no-name artist. Imagine how people would treat Ono's family if he painted something so radical and the Japanese didn't like it? Surely they would be shun from society and seen as lowly people.
There's no shame however in being an artist. In fact it's probably the hardest profession there can be because the past, present and future of Japan is in their hands. Ono has so much to offer that what he paints will have an impact in Japanese culture. And as we know he does and because of that he's know reminiscing and thinking of all the people he knew before the war.
We understand that before he could become a "real artist" he worked for a commercial company that made "Japanese Art" .
"Japanese Culture - Geisha." Japan-Zone.com - Japan Travel Guide, Japanese Pop Culture, History, Japanese Girls, Japanese Guys. 1999-. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.
I agree that becoming an artist can be one of the more difficult career choices due to its lack of stability. If an artists produces work that the public does not approve of, then the won't be able to make a living. It is this that Ono's father is trying to protect him from.
ReplyDeleteBut we do see the actual reaction of the people towards Ono after the war.
I agree with the fact that you point out that if Ono didn't succeed as an artist then his family name would be put to shame. But, yes to be an artist is also difficult and that's why he wanted to do it. Since it was difficult he wanted a challenge and when the war came around he got his opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOf course we later see that he feels bad due to the outcome of the war, but he isn't blamed by the people, only those that know him.
Is Ono "an artist of the floating world"? If so, why does Ono tell Mori-san before leaving the villa,
ReplyDelete"Sensei, it is my belief that in such troubled times as these, artists must learn to value something more tangible than those pleasurable things that disappear with the morning light. It is not necessary that artists that artists always occupy a decadent and enclosed world. My conscience, Sensei, tells me I cannot forever an artist of the floating world." (Ishiguro 179-180)
We can clearly see that Ono's priorities changed as the time passed which was usual of the "star pupils" similar to him. They appreciate their master and in return they grow out of the teachings. Even though this is frowned upon by the masters it seems to be a recurring cycle among artists in Japan. Ono says to his Mori-san that he enjoyed being "an artist of the floating world" who captured the beauty of the world. Which as you mentioned Lorena is related to Geishas and other artists. Mori-san's pupils drew Geishas and portrayed their beauty. My opinion is that Ono ceased to be an artist of the floating world when he told Mori-san that he no longer wished to draw Geishas and the beauty of the world. All painters are expected to have talent and portray beauty that not everyone can see. What happens when an artist changes their purpose?
I agree with Tamar. Ono chose this career and he knew what he was getting himself into. An Artist should bring out the beauty and make people see their perspective of life. But over time Ono seem to have changed his purpose. Ono may have influenced the war but as Matsuda said, "Ono, our contribution was always marginal. No one cares now what the likes of you and me once did..... We're the only ones who care now. The like of you and me, Ono, when we look back over our lives and see they were flawed, we're the only ones who care now"
ReplyDeleteMatsuda says this to Ono. Which is true what happened happened, No one really seems to care. Everything is in the past. Ono should just continue doing what he loves and becoming that artist that he since small have wanted to be.
the quote is from page 201
ReplyDelete