Katsushika Hokusai (October or November 1760?May 10, 1849) was a Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period. In his time, he was Japan's leading expert on Chinese painting. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai is best-known as author of the woodblock print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji which includes the iconic and internationally recognized print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, created during the 1820s.

Hokusai created the "Thirty-Six Views" both as a response to a domestic travel boom and as part of a personal obsession with Mount Fuji. It was this series, specifically The Great Wave print and Fuji in Clear Weather, that secured Hokusai?s fame both within Japan and overseas. As historian Richard Lane concludes, ?Indeed, if there is one work that made Hokusai's name, both in Japan and abroad, it must be this monumental print-series...?While Hokusai's work prior to this series is certainly important, it was not until this series that he gained broad recognition and left a lasting impact on the art world.

It was also The Great Wave print that initially received, and continues to receive, acclaim and popularity in the Western world. Hokusai was born on the 23rd day of 9th month of the 10th year of the H?reki period (October or November 1760) to an artisan family, in the Katsushika district of Edo, Japan. His childhood name was Tokitar?.It is believed his father was the mirror-maker Nakajima Ise, who produced mirrors for the shogun.

His father never made Hokusai an heir, so it's possible that his mother was a concubine. Hokusai began painting around the age of six, possibly learning the art from his father, whose work on mirrors also included the painting of designs around the mirrors.

Similar to 0 things you like: