Katsushika Hokusai

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a leading ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period, active throughout Japan. He pioneered a modern approach by expanding the subjects of ukiyo-e from portraits to landscapes, plants, and animals. In particular, his "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," centered on the theme of Mount Fuji, is his masterpiece, and "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" from this series had a great influence on European Impressionist painters. Hokusai's works were centered on woodblock ukiyo-e prints, and he was also active in various media such as painting and book illustration, leaving behind more than 30,000 works. He holds an important place in art history for his innovative composition and outstanding descriptive skill.