# Katsushika Hokusai

> Japanese artist (1760-1849)

**Wikidata**: [Q5586](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5586)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokusai)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/katsushika-hokusai

## Summary
Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist renowned for his contributions to the ukiyo-e genre, particularly his iconic woodblock print series *Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji*, which includes *The Great Wave off Kanagawa*. Active from the late 18th to mid-19th century, he excelled as a painter, printmaker, and illustrator, leaving a profound influence on global art.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 31, 1760, in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan
- **Nationality**: Japanese
- **Education**: Trained under his father, a draftsman, and later studied under Shunshō Katsukawa
- **Known for**: Pioneering ukiyo-e woodblock prints and landscapes
- **Employer(s)**: Worked independently; associated with the Katsukawa and Tawaraya schools
- **Field(s)**: Ukiyo-e, painting, printmaking, illustration

## Contributions
- **Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji** (1830–1833): A seminal series of woodblock prints, including *The Great Wave off Kanagawa*, which revolutionized landscape art.
- **Hokusai Manga** (1814): A collection of sketches showcasing his draftsmanship, influencing modern manga and animation.
- **The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife** (1820): A celebrated erotic woodcut design.
- **A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces** (1832): A series capturing Japan’s natural beauty.
- **Oceans of Wisdom** (1834): A later series reflecting his artistic maturity.

## FAQs
**What is Katsushika Hokusai’s most famous work?**  
*The Great Wave off Kanagawa* from *Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji* is his most iconic piece, symbolizing Japanese art globally.

**How did Hokusai influence later artists?**  
His bold compositions and use of perspective inspired Impressionists like Claude Monet and Post-Impressionists such as Vincent van Gogh, bridging Eastern and Western art traditions.

**What techniques defined Hokusai’s art?**  
He mastered woodblock printing (wood engraving) and employed dynamic perspectives, intricate details, and vibrant colors, elevating ukiyo-e beyond decorative art.

**Where can Hokusai’s works be viewed today?**  
Major collections reside at the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo.

## Why They Matter
Hokusai transformed ukiyo-e into a respected art form, introducing Western audiences to Japanese aesthetics through his landscapes and figurative works. His innovative compositions and technical mastery influenced global art movements, ensuring his legacy as a pivotal figure in both Japanese and world art history.

## Notable For
- Creating *The Great Wave off Kanagawa*, one of the most reproduced artworks in history.
- Producing over 30,000 artworks, including paintings, prints, and sketches.
- Inspiring European artists such as Monet, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
- Pioneering the use of sequential imagery in *Hokusai Manga*, a precursor to modern comics.
- Exhibiting work internationally, including at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.

## Body

### Early Life and Training
Born in Edo (Tokyo) in 1760, Hokusai began training under his father, Nakajima Ise, a draftsman for the Tokugawa shogunate. At 14, he studied under Shunshō Katsukawa, a prominent ukiyo-e artist, adopting the name Shunrō. By the 1780s, he gained recognition for his kabuki actor portraits.

### Artistic Career
Hokusai’s career spanned six decades, marked by frequent name changes reflecting artistic growth. Key phases include:
- **Katsukawa Period** (1770s–1790s): Focused on actor prints and book illustrations.
- **Tawaraya Period** (1790s–1800s): Experimented with *bijin-ga* (beautiful women) and erotic art.
- **Hokusai Period** (1800s–1840s): Shifted to landscapes and nature studies, producing his most celebrated works.

### Major Works and Series
- **Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji** (1830–1833): This series established Hokusai’s reputation, with *The Great Wave* exemplifying his mastery of composition and color.
- **Hokusai Manga** (1814): A compilation of sketches spanning animals, plants, and human figures, showcasing his observational skill.
- **A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces** (1832): Highlighted Japan’s natural wonders, emphasizing movement and scale.
- **Oceans of Wisdom** (1834): Demonstrated his late-career focus on simplicity and essence.

### Techniques and Innovations
Hokusai revolutionized woodblock printing through:
- **Perspective**: Employing Western-style linear perspective in *The Great Wave*.
- **Color**: Utilizing *bokashi* (gradation) techniques for nuanced tones.
- **Subject Matter**: Elevating landscapes (*fūkei-ga*) to a central genre in ukiyo-e.

### Influence and Legacy
Hokusai’s impact transcended Japan:
- **European Art**: Inspired Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, with Monet collecting his works.
- **Modern Media**: *Hokusai Manga* influenced the development of sequential art and modern manga.
- **Cultural Icon**: His imagery, particularly *The Great Wave*, remains ubiquitous in global pop culture.

### Later Life and Death
Despite financial struggles, Hokusai continued creating art until his death in 1849. His final works, such as *Oceans of Wisdom*, reflect a minimalist approach, distilling forms to their essence. He died in Edo on May 10, 1849, leaving a legacy that reshaped artistic traditions worldwide.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Kunstindeks Danmark
4. NMVW-collection website
5. datos.bne.es
6. Union List of Artist Names. 2020
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/rijksstudio/2084333--etamemeta/collections/colour-woodcut-xylography?ii=0&p=0)
9. The Fine Art Archive
10. RKDartists
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. Japan Search
14. CiNii Research
15. National Diet Library
16. Bibliothèque nationale de France
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. MusicBrainz
19. Comiclopedia
20. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
21. Find a Grave
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Babelio
24. Proleksis Encyclopedia
25. Artnet
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
28. Swedish Open Cultural Heritage
29. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11840/698540)
30. [Source](https://cartoons.osu.edu/biographical-files/)
31. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_12)
32. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/de/retrospective/documenta_12)
33. CONOR.SI
34. BBC Things
35. LIBRIS. 2012
36. Source
37. Smithsonian American Art Museum person/institution ID
38. [Stilleven met gelukswensen](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/a30b4175-821e-2939-b107-569296093192)
39. CollectieGelderland
40. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma99779873504896)
41. Catalogo of the National Library of India