When you set your eyes upon "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," you're not just witnessing a masterpiece of Japanese art – you're peering into the soul of one of history's most prolific and influential artists. Katsushika Hokusai, the man behind this iconic image, lived a life as dynamic and multifaceted as the cresting waves and magnificent scenes he so famously depicted. Join us as we dive deep into the turbulent waters of Hokusai's life, exploring the man behind the work and the incredible journey that led to his enduring legacy.
1 - Early Years: The Birth of a Prodigy
~Woman and Two Children - Katsushika Hokusai~
On the 23rd day of the 9th month of the 10th year of the Hōreki period (October or November 1760), in the bustling city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Katsushika Hokusai entered the world. Born into the humble family of an artisan mirror-maker, young Tokitarō (Hokusai's childhood name) would soon set the art world ablaze with his unparalleled talent and innovative spirit. His father, believed to be Nakajima Ise, produced mirrors for the shogun. Interestingly, Hokusai was never made an heir, leading some to speculate that his mother may have been a concubine.
At the tender age of six, Hokusai was already sketching and painting, possibly learning the art from his father, whose work on mirrors also included painting designs around them. The streets of Edo became his canvas, and the vibrant life of the city his endless muse.
2 - The Apprentice Years: Forging the Master's Tools
At twelve years, Hokusai's artistic journey took its first formal step when his father sent him to work in a bookshop and lending library, where he was exposed to woodblock-printed books. This early exposure to prints would prove crucial in shaping Hokusai's future.
Two years later, at fourteen, Hokusai embarked on an apprenticeship with a wood-carver, where he honed his skills until the age of eighteen. Hokusai's artistic education continued when he entered the studio of Katsukawa Shunshō, a master of ukiyo-e. Under Shunshō's tutelage, Hokusai was introduced to the world of "pictures of the floating world," which typically focused on images of courtesans and kabuki actors popular in Japan's cities at the time.
3 - Rebirth: A Man of Many Names
Hokusai took the idea of reinvention to another level as throughout his career, he adopted at least thirty different names, each representing a new phase in his artistic journey. This practice, while common among Japanese artists of the time, was taken to an extreme by Hokusai.
From Shunrō to Sōri, Taito, Itsu, Manji… and eventually going by Katsushika Hokusai in 1807. Katsushika being the part of Edo where he was born and Hokusai meaning "North Studio" in honor of the North Star, a symbol of a deity important in his religion of Nichiren Buddhism. Each moniker marked a milestone in his ever-evolving style. This constant reinvention wasn't mere whimsy. It reflected Hokusai's relentless pursuit of artistic perfection and his belief that with each name change, he was reborn as an artist.
4 - Breaking New Ground: Hokusai's Artistic Revolution
While "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is Hokusai's most recognizable work, it's just the tip of the iceberg in his vast catalogue of artistic achievements. Let's dive into some of his most prominent works and explore a few lesser-known gems:
a) "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" Series:
This magnum opus, created between 1829 and 1833, showcases Hokusai's mastery of landscape art and his obsession with Japan's most iconic peak. The series actually consists of 46 prints, with 10 added after the initial publication due to its immense popularity. From the serene "South Wind, Clear Sky" (often called "Red Fuji") to the bustling "The Fuji from Kanaya on the Tōkaidō," this series captures the mountain's majesty in various seasons and settings. You can learn more about the center piece of this series "the Great Wave off Kanagawa" from our comprehensive deep dive into this masterpiece here.
b) "Hokusai Manga":
This monumental work, spanning 15 volumes and containing nearly 4,000 images, reveals Hokusai's keen eye for the everyday and the extraordinary. Published in 1814, it became an immediate success and continues to inspire artists today. From the mundane tasks of ordinary folk to fantastical creatures of Japanese mythology, these sketches demonstrate Hokusai's remarkable range and his influence on modern manga.
c) "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji":
Lesser known than its "Thirty-six Views" counterpart, this three-volume series of monochrome prints showcases Hokusai's continued fascination with Mount Fuji. Published around 1834, these intimate, often whimsical depictions of the mountain reveal Hokusai's mastery of composition and his ability to find new perspectives on a familiar subject.
d) "A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces":
This series, created in the early 1830s, highlights Hokusai's skill in depicting the power and beauty of water, a theme he would revisit in his famous "Great Wave."
e) "Unusual Views of Celebrated Bridges in the Provinces":
Another series from the 1830s, this work showcased Hokusai's innovative approach to perspective and his ability to find beauty in everyday structures.
f) "One Hundred Ghost Stories" Series:
Created around 1830, this lesser-known but highly influential series showcases Hokusai's versatility and his mastery of the eerie and supernatural. Despite its name, only five prints from this series are known to exist today. These ukiyo-e woodblock prints depict various yokai (supernatural creatures) and ghosts from Japanese folklore, including the famous "The Ghost of Oiwa" and "Kohada Koheiji". This series not only demonstrates Hokusai's ability to evoke a sense of unease and mystery but also reflects the Edo period's fascination with the supernatural.
5 - Hokusai's Life Beyond the Woodblock print
Behind the master artist was a man of fascinating contradictions. Despite his artistic success, Hokusai lived much of his life in relative poverty, often moving residences up to a staggering 93 times! He found cleaning distasteful, and allow dirt and grime to build up in his studio until the place became unbearable and then simply moved out. It's also believed escaping creditors was sometimes a motivation. This nomadic existence seemed to fuel rather than hinder his creativity.
Hokusai's personal life was as colorful as his artworks. Married twice, he fathered two sons and three daughters. His first wife, about whom little is known, died in the early 1790s. He remarried in 1797, but this second marriage was also short-lived.
Perhaps his most significant personal relationship was with his youngest daughter, Ei (also known as Ōi). An accomplished artist in her own right, Oi became Hokusai's assistant and collaborator in his later years, contributing to some of his most famous works. Their relationship has even inspired a manga and film titled "Miss Hokusai".
Hokusai was quite the showman. As the story goes, he was once called before the shogun's court to demonstrate his artistic talent. In response, he painted a long blue mark on a sheet of paper—then dipped a chicken's feet in red paint and chased it across the image, creating a clever riff on the traditional motif of maple leaves floating on Japan's Tatsuta River. Hokusai was also a savvy self-promoter, creating massive paintings in public with the help of his students.
6 - The Autumn Years: A Late-Blooming Genius
If you think your best days are behind you, let Hokusai's late-life renaissance inspire you. It wasn't until his seventies that Hokusai created many of his most famous works, including "The Great Wave." This period of incredible productivity continued well into his eighties and nineties.
In 1834, at the age of 74, Hokusai began working under the name "Gakyō Rōjin Manji" (The Old Man Mad About Art). It was during this period that he produced "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," another significant landscape series.
Hokusai's famous quote encapsulates his philosophy of lifelong dedication to art: "From the age of six, I had a passion for copying the form of things and since the age of fifty I have published many drawings, yet of all I drew by my seventieth year there is nothing worth taking into account. At seventy-three years I partly understood the structure of animals, birds, insects and fishes, and the life of grasses and plants. And so, at eighty-six I shall progress further; at ninety I shall even further penetrate their secret meaning, and by one hundred I shall perhaps truly have reached the level of the marvelous and divine. When I am one hundred and ten, each dot, each line will possess a life of its own."
Even in his final days, Hokusai's passion for art never waned. On his deathbed, he is said to have exclaimed, "If only Heaven will give me just another ten years... Just another five more years, then I could become a real painter." He passed away on May 10, 1849, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to inspire generations of artists to come.
7 - The Undying Wave: Hokusai's Enduring Legacy
Hokusai's influence extends far beyond the shores of Japan, creating ripples that continue to shape the world of art to this day. Let's explore the vast reach of his artistic legacy:
a) Japonisme and Western Art:
Hokusai's work played a crucial role in the Japonisme movement, inspiring Western artists and fundamentally altering the course of European art. His influence can be seen in the works of numerous renowned artists:
- Vincent van Gogh: The Dutch post-impressionist was deeply influenced by Hokusai's use of bold colors and dynamic compositions. Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" bears a striking resemblance to Hokusai's turbulent waves. He even wrote about Hokusai in numerous letters to his brother.
- Claude Monet: The father of Impressionism owned several Hokusai prints and was inspired by the Japanese artist's approach to color and perspective.
- Edgar Degas: The French artist said of Hokusai, "Hokusai is not just one artist among others in the Floating World. He is an island, a continent, a whole world in himself."
- Paul Gauguin, Gustav Klimt, and Édouard Manet were among the many other Western artists who collected and were influenced by Hokusai's woodcuts.
b) Influence on Modern and Contemporary Art:
Hokusai's legacy continues to inspire artists across various mediums:
- David Hockney: The British artist's "The Great Wave" series pays direct homage to Hokusai's iconic work.
- Takashi Murakami: This contemporary Japanese artist's "superflat" style draws inspiration from Hokusai's bold colors and flattened perspectives.
c) Impact on Graphic Design and Popular Culture:
Hokusai's influence extends far beyond fine art:
- Logo Design: The Great Wave has inspired countless logos, including Quiksilver's iconic mountain and wave emblem and our own FineJapan logo.
- Emoji: The wave emoji 🌊 is directly inspired by Hokusai's Great Wave.
- Hokusai's work has had a distinct impact on tattoo art, with many of his designs being adapted for traditional Japanese tattoos.
d) Influence on Literature and Music:
Hokusai's art has inspired creators across various disciplines:
- Hokusai's wave has graced numerous album covers: From Debussy's "La Mer", to the more modern Courtney Barnett's "A Sea Of Split Peas", Neil Halstead's "Sleeping on Roads" and many more.
- Roger Zelazny: The science fiction author's Hugo Award-winning short story "24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai" takes readers on a tour of locations painted by the master artist.
e) Continuing Exhibition and Study:
Hokusai's work continues to captivate audiences worldwide:
- In 2005, Tokyo National Museum held a Hokusai exhibition that attracted record numbers of visitors.
- The British Museum's 2017 exhibition, featuring Hokusai's later works including 'The Great Wave,' brought renewed attention to the artist's late-life productivity.
- A biographical film about the Hokusai premiered at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival
f) Inspiration for Modern Manga:
While Hokusai's "Manga" differs from modern story-based manga, his influence on the art form is undeniable. His dynamic compositions and ability to capture movement have inspired countless manga artists.
8 - Conclusion: Lessons from a Profound Human
Katsushika Hokusai's life and art remind us that creativity knows no bounds – not of age, not of style, not of culture. His journey from a curious child in Edo to a globally revered master is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and perpetual reinvention. His passion continues to dance in our collective imagination, inspiring new generations of artists and art lovers alike.
So, the next time you encounter Hokusai's work, take a moment to look beyond the image. In the curl of a wave, the slope of a mountain, the expression of a face, or the arcing of a bridge, you might just catch a glimpse of the extraordinary man behind the art – a true master whose influence, like his most famous wave, shows no signs of receding.
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