First published in 1986, Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel An Artist of the Floating World tells the story of Masuji Ono, an ageing painter who looks back on his life and career and how attitudes towards him and his paintings have changed.

In this DQTV interview, Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, best known for roles in Hollywood movies The Last Samurai, Batman Begins and Inception, recalls how he was approached to play the lead character.

He also discusses his impressions of the novel and why he was drawn to the project, despite it being untypical of Japanese drama.

Watanabe also highlights how is similar to his character and how the TV film prompted him to reflect on his own life and career.

An Artist of the Floating World is produced by broadcaster NHK and distributed by NHK Enterprises.

tagged in: Artist of the Floating World, Ken Watanabe, NHK