An Artist of the Floating World: Winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year 1986. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 1986

Alternative cover edition here.

As Japan rebuilds her cities after the calamity of World War II, the celebrated painter Masuji Ono should be enjoying a tranquil retirement. But as his memories continually return to a life and career deeply touched by the rise of Japanese militarism, a dark shadow begins to grow over his serenity.