Katushika Hokusai Paintings

Katsushika Hokusai: The Master of Japanese Painting

Katsushika Hokusai was born under Kawamura Tokitaro and brought up by Isa Nakajima, a mirror maker for the Shogun. He belonged to an artisan family of Tokyo in 1760, and he was an artist, printmaker, and Ukiyo-e-painter during Edo Period. He started painting from an early age and became apprenticed to a wood-caver. Moreover, at the age of 18, he was working in the studio of Katsukawa Shunsho, an ukiyo-e style artist. After the death of Katsukawa, he started experimenting with other art styles, including Western Styles.

Early life

As a teenager, Katsushika loaned his books to earn money to work as a woodblock cutter. In 1784 he started designing illustrations for books. This was the most crucial time for his career. Katsushika started to shift from prints to depicting people and landscapes of daily life. Later on, he started exploring European traditions and experimenting with the linear perspective. Katushika's work caught the attention of Utagawa Toyoharu, who invited Katushika to join his atelier. 

Katsushika was well-known for his weird rituals as well. He sued to draw a Chinese dragon and threw it out of the window for better luck. His liveliness can be seen in his artworks. In his time, Katsushika produced much artwork that was very successful. Katsushika improved as an artist as he grew older, according to the critics.

Famous works

The Dream of The Fisherman's Wife- this painting was an example of an erotic genre, and it is one of the most famous paintings of Katsushika. Other paintings like slight wind, clear weather, Fujimigahara in Owari Province, Great Wave off Kanagawa  also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, Ducks in a Stream, Li Bai Admiring a Waterfall, and Old Tiger in the show were examples of some of his artistic brilliance. Katushika's artworks influenced many young artists of that time.