Katsushika Hokusai - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎, 1760-1849), born Tokitarō, was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist and printmaker of the Edo period who revolutionized both Japanese and global art through his masterful woodblock prints and paintings. Known by at least thirty different names throughout his career—including the self-proclaimed "Old Man Mad About Drawing" (Gakyo Rojin)—Hokusai's artistic journey spans over seven decades of relentless innovation and creative evolution.
Born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai's earliest documented artistic endeavors began at age six when he started drawing. By 1778, he had apprenticed with a woodblock carver, launching a career that would ultimately transcend the conventional boundaries of ukiyo-e art. His work first gained recognition in the 1790s with illustrations for kibyōshi (picture books) and warrior prints, though his restless spirit would soon push him to explore far beyond these traditional subjects.
The artist's most productive and innovative period emerged in his later years, particularly after age sixty, when he created his most celebrated works, including the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series featuring the iconic "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" (c. 1830-1833). Hokusai's artistic evolution reflected both personal spiritual beliefs and an obsession with perfecting his craft—he famously declared that nothing he created before age 70 was worthy of notice, and that by age 110, each dot and line would possess a life of its own. His work particularly captivated European artists during the Japonisme movement of the late 19th century, profoundly influencing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters.
Hokusai's legacy extends far beyond his artwork; he exemplifies the dedication to continuous improvement and the pursuit of artistic truth. His influence resonates in contemporary manga, anime, and graphic design, while his famous wave motif appears in everything from tattoo art to emoji. Modern scholars continue to uncover new aspects of his vast body of work, which includes an estimated 30,000 drawings. Hokusai's life and art remain a testament to the power of creative persistence and the eternal quest for artistic perfection, leading one to wonder: what undiscovered masterpieces might still lurk in private collections, waiting to add new chapters to his extraordinary story?