Cultural Identity Formation in Kazuo Ishiguro's Anan Artist of the Floating World in the Realm of Jan Assmann Theory

Abstract

Kazuo Ishiguro is a modern British novelist of Japanese descent known for his poignant explorations of memory, identity, and the human experience that blends elements of Japanese and Western cultures through reflection on the complexities of the human condition. An Artist of the Floating World explores the intricacies of cultural identity formation in post-World War II Japan through the journey of Masuji Ono, a former artist grappling with his past amidst a society in transition. The novel delves into how personal and collective histories, as well as the interplay between memory and societal changes, shape one's cultural identity. This study utilizes Jan Assmann's cultural memory theory as a lens to delve into the formation of cultural identity within Ishiguro's novel. By analyzing how the text reflects and influences collective memory, shapes cultural identity, and engages with processes of remembering and forgetting, the research aims to uncover the novel's contribution to cultural identity formation. Through examining the representation of historical events, social narratives, and cultural values, this paper seeks to elucidate how memory impacts the construction and transmission of cultural identity. The key findings of this study reveal Ishiguro's exploration of cultural identity and memory post-World War II, emphasizing the East-West clash's influence on Japanese identity transformation. Themes of guilt, shame, and redemption underscore the war's enduring impact on individuals, while the intertwining of personal and collective histories shapes cultural identity in which memory emerges as a powerful reminder of history's role in shaping cultural identity in a dynamic world.