Masuji Ono Revealed

“If on a sunny day you climb the steep path leading up from the little wooden bridge still referred to around here as ‘the Bridge of Hesitation’, you will not have to walk far before the roof of my house becomes visible between the tops of two ginkgo trees.” Pg 7 of An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishuguro. This bridge can be looked at metaphorically speaking and as a real object. Physically, a bridge connects two places that were once separated. For the main character of the book, Masuji Ono, the bridge is what connects his past to his present. He finds himself caught between the two places. At his point in his life, he is standing on the bridge and looking in either direction. He seems to be caught between the ever changing world, the views and attitudes of the new generation, and what he’s been through (pre-war and post-war).

          At this point in our reading, we have a little insight on the man named Masuji Ono. There are still more questions than answer running through my mind about his past and the things that occurred in his life that lead him to where he is now. In the beginning of the book he states he is not a wealthy man. “But then I am not, nor have I ever been a wealthy man.” He then goes on to tell of how he acquired such a lavish house. He was chosen from three other applicants who were admired by the previous and deceased tenant. We then discover that Masuji Ono was a widely know artist “Our father was a cultured man, Mr Ono. He had much respect for artists. Indeed, he knew of your work” (9).

          Ono has two daughters and a deceased son. He seems to be a caring father and grandfather. Even though his grandson is very naughty, he talks to him gently and lovingly. His daughters are careful with what they say around him, this makes the reader feel they have something to hide or that they don’t want to say something that will upset their father.

I look forward to continue reading and learning about Ono. He is a very interesting and intriguing character. At some point in our lives, we all stand on the bridge of hesitation. Some of us run and never look back, but I think most of us reflect upon where we have been before and use that judgment for the future. The world around us changes so frequently and we all must adapt and change ourselves if we want to fit into today’s society.

Kazuo Ishiguro