Looking to Buy Hokusai Art Prints? A Brief Introduction to The Japanese Artist Hokusai

Who is Katsushika Hokusai? Considered to be one of the most well-known Japanese artists in the world, Hokusai is recognized for significantly impacting the world of art. Artists such as Monet and Van Gogh are known to have been influenced by this man's work, spurring forth the creation and formation of Impressionism. It's no wonder, then, that Hokusai art prints and reproductions can be found across the globe.

Nevertheless, there are still many people that don't recognize just how much of an impact Hokusai has had in the world of art. That's something this brief introduction to Hokusai aims to help remedy.

So if you're curious as to who this Japanese ukiyo-e artist is, and how he was able to get household names Monet and Van Gogh to recognize his work, then continue reading.

Who Is Katsushika Hokusai?

Born during a period in Japan's history where peace, economic growth, arts and culture flourished, Hokusai is a man that used at least over 30 different names throughout his life. This changing of names was common practice among Japanese artists at the time, and was usually done to mark a point in their career that underwent significant change.

Hokusai was an artist that worked in a variety of mediums, including painting and book illustration. However, he was most recognized for his woodblock ukiyo-e prints. He had a long and illustrious career, working on his craft all the way until his death at the age of 88. Throughout his entire life he was able to produce over 30,000 paintings, sketches and woodblock prints.

What Is Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e refers to a genre of Japanese art that saw popularity between the 17th and 19th centuries. The subjects of ukiyo-e works were often the people and environments of the higher classes, and often depicted sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, geishas, warriors, as well as characters from folklore and literature.

They were a form of art that became popular among the chōnin class, which was a class composed of merchants and craftsmen. During the Edo period, the chōnin class had become wealthy enough to be able to decorate their own homes with art. And ukiyo-e was the medium that was accessible to them.

The Production Process of Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e was a collaborative printmaking process usually divided into multiple parts. It's this printmaking process and production that was a factor in spurring Hokusai's popularity, as many of his works would be continuously reproduced and mass produced.

The first part of the production process for ukiyo-e began with the publisher. A publisher would usually commission a painter to create an original design or painting in black ink. This design is called a hanashita-e.

After a design was approved, production would then shift over to a carver. This carver would then paste the painting over a block of wood and then carve it out based on the design.

Once the woodblock carving was finished, it would then go to a printer who would ink and press the woodblocks onto paper, thereby creating the final product: the Japanese art print.

Today, the production of art prints has progressed and advanced to the point where you wouldn't need multiple people to work on a single print. However, it is fun and important to note that it was Japanese printmaking that helped spur Hokusai's popularity. And that even today, many Hokusai art prints are being continuously reproduced and sold to promote and proliferate his art.

What is Hokusai Famous For?

Hokusai is known for his series Thirty-Six View of Mount Fuji, which included his most-recognized work, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. This series was born out of a personal interest and curiosity in Mount Fuji. Domestic travel had blossomed during that period, and this series was Hokusai's response to the boom.

The Thirty-Six View of Mount Fuji is composed of a variety of depictions of Mount Fuji from different locations, seasons, and conditions. Mount Fuji itself is very significant and important to Japanese culture and religion. Often seen as the source of the secret to immortality, its magnificent presence captured Hokusai's obsession.

Looking back, Mount Fuji did help Hokusai attain a certain sense of immortality through his art. Besides The Great Wave off Kanagawa, other works in the series that have gained recognition include Fine Wind, Clear Morning, and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit.

The Impact and Impression that Hokusai's Works Left Behind

When ukiyo-e first came to Western shores through The Paris Exposition of 1867, many were intrigued and impressed with the production of ukiyo-e paintings. They had been able to achieve unique colors that could not be achieved in oil paintings. They also held a visual style that was very different from what was flourishing in the West at the time.

It's this uniqueness and difference that caught the attention of Monet, Renoir, Manet, and Van Gogh. The style with which these prints were created, particularly how they flattened space and focused on atmosphere were some of the things that captured the admiration of these artists that would start the Impressionist movement.

Some art historians, for example, have argued connections between Hokusai's great wave and the swirls in Van Gogh's Starry Night, and how Van Gogh may have drawn from or been inspired by the movement of the sea in Hokusai's work.

The impact of Hokusai's work on art and on the world is huge, even to this day. In fact, in 2017, the British Museum in London held a special exhibition about Hokusai that produced very long queues to the museum from visitors looking to buy a ticket and enter.

Everyone Should Own Hokusai Art Prints

Hokusai's iconic work continues to create waves across generations. To this day his work continues to connect and resonate with people. Which is why it's no small wonder should you ever find yourself staring at a reproduction of Hokusai's work in someone else's home, business, or office space.

But why stop there though? Why not own a piece of Hokusai's work yourself? After all, in keeping with the tradition of ukiyo-e, or Japanese printmaking, you could also purchase a high-quality print of Hokusai's works, including The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

If you're interested in displaying Hokusai's iconic piece, feel free to check out our online store. We have Hokusai art prints, posters, pins, and other items available for purchase.