An Artist of the Floating World

And had, say, someone challenged our lifestyle during a conversation in a bar, any one of us would have been able to put up a spirited defence on its behalf.

you will be overcome by the distinct feeling you have left the city behind.

fact, it’s my wish that you should go on to become recognized as nothing less than the spearhead of the new spirit. Indeed’

there was no reason why pleasure-seeking had to go hand in hand with decadence.

It was, I suppose, another of those instances when one is struck by the realization that one is held in rather higher esteem than one supposed.

how sleazy things get there after dark.

Excuse me for mentioning this, Father. No doubt, it would have already occurred to you.’

They inhabit a world which gives them every temptation to become weak-willed and depraved.

Indeed, it is one of the enjoyments of retirement that you are able to drift through the day at your own pace, easy in the knowledge that you have put hard work and achievement behind you.

Several times he froze in mid-movement as though inspiration had suddenly deserted him