Thirty-six Views of Japanese Art

Born on October 31, 1760 in Edo - now Tokyo, Japan, Katsushika Hokusai was known as a master artist of the Ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") school. His interest in drawing began early on at the age of five. His early work fully embodied Ukiyo-e art, including single sheet prints of landscapes and actors, hand paintings, and surimono ("printed things"), such as greetings and announcements. From the age of fifteen to eighteen, he was an apprentice to a woodblock engraver, who supplied him with training in the book and printing trades and contributed to his development as a printmaker. In his mid-20s, Hokusai's work turned to historical and landscape subjects, especially Uki-e (semi-historical landscapes using Western-influenced perspective techniques), as well as prints of children. Hokusai also contributed to the surimono genre, in which prints were issued privately for special occasions, such as musical programs, announcements, etc. In the early nineteenth century, he began illustrating yomihon (the extended historical novels that were just coming into fashion). His focus shifted to classical or traditional themes, especially of samurai, or warriors, and Chinese subjects. Hokusai was also fond of publicly displaying his artistic talent by creating huge paintings for festival crowds.