Spotlight: Katsushika Hokusai – Master of the Great Wave
The artist behind Japan’s most iconic image — and so much more.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is one of the most famous Japanese artists of all time. Though best known for The Great Wave off Kanagawa, his career spanned over 70 years and more than 30,000 works. His bold lines, inventive spirit, and love for nature helped define ukiyo-e — and influenced artists across the globe.
🌀 The Great Wave and the "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji"
Hokusai’s most famous image, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, is part of his celebrated series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. The prints depict Japan’s sacred mountain from different angles, times, and seasons.
The Great Wave itself shows a towering, curling wave about to crash onto small fishing boats — with a calm Mount Fuji rising in the distance. It’s a timeless symbol of nature’s power, human fragility, and sublime beauty.
🎨 A Life of Reinvention
Throughout his life, Hokusai reinvented himself again and again — even changing his name more than 30 times. Each name reflected a new phase in his artistic journey. He started with actor portraits and courtesans, following ukiyo-e tradition, but evolved into a master of landscapes, nature studies, and even early manga-style sketchbooks.
His Hokusai Manga featured imaginative creatures, humorous characters, and detailed studies of everyday people, long before the word “manga” had today’s meaning.
🌍 Influence Beyond Japan
In the late 19th century, Hokusai’s prints reached Europe and inspired a wave of artistic fascination known as Japonisme. Painters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Toulouse-Lautrec studied his use of line, color, and composition.
Today, Hokusai’s Great Wave appears everywhere — from tattoos and album covers to fashion and home décor. His influence is as global as it is timeless.
🖼️ Where to See His Work
Original works by Hokusai are housed in museums like the British Museum, Tokyo National Museum, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. But many prints are still available through antique dealers or as high-quality reprints.
Inspired by Hokusai’s work? While we don’t currently carry his original prints, our collection features a wide range of authentic Japanese woodblock art — from dramatic waves and peaceful landscapes to elegant portraits and traditional scenes.
Whether you're a new collector or a seasoned enthusiast, there's always something new to discover in the world of ukiyo-e.
