Introduction: Many of seen a painting of a gigantic blue and white wave, getting ready to crash down onto three boats, and in the background is, Mount Fuji. That famous painting, which everyone has seen before, was created by Katsushika Hokusai, and the painting is known as the “Great Wave off Kanagawa”. Hokusai is widely known to be one of Japan’s greatest artists and printmakers. Being one of the first to shape Japanese art styles by using print and art methods from various places around the world. In this paper, I will be discussing my personal interest in this artist, a small summary of his life, and lastly, the major contributions he made during his life.

Personal Interest: It is difficult to say why I decided to choose to write about Hokusai. The first artwork I saw from Hokusai was the painting called, “Sarumaru Dayü.” For that reason, I became interested in his art style, being fawned and intrigued by it. The first time I saw this painting, I immediately thought about how I wanted to learn how to paint in this art style. Another reason why I wanted to write about Hokusai is to learn more about him and how his mind worked when he would paint and print. Since his artworks are beautiful and pleasing to look at, I believe that his life could be fascinating to know about.

Summary of Artist: Hokusai was born on the 23rd somewhere between October and November in 1760. While information about his mother is basically unknown, it was believed that his father was a mirror- maker. Hokusai began painting around six years old after learning from his father, who would paint the designs around the mirrors he’d make. During Hokusai’s lifetime, he was known by about 30 different names. Every time he’d change his name, his art style would change as well. He was married twice and had two sons and three daughters between the two marriages. After the death of his second wife, Hokusai began exploring different art styles from around the world. He was later expelled from the Katsukawa school, due to studying at the rival school, his expulsion caused him to change his art style to the one we now know him for today, ukiyo-e. Producing artworks and prints that are known all around the world. In 1839, his studio caught on fire and destroyed much of his artwork, yet he never stopped painting and completed “Ducks in a Stream”. The last painting Hokusai completed was, “The Dragon of Smoke Escaping from Mount Fuji,” he died on April 19, 1949, and is buried at the Seikyō in Tokyo.

Major Contributions The Artist Made: There are many major contributions Hokusai made during his lifetime as an artist and printmaker. He introduced the European style of printmaking in Japan, showing this by using many different framing mechanisms to create depth in his paintings. Another contribution Hokusai made during his time was popularizing the art genre called, Ukiyo-e. This art style focuses on and tells a story using aesthetics such as beauty, nature, love, and many more. The majority of his artworks and prints take part in this art style and have helped encourage people to enjoy the little things, to cherish the moment they are in, and admire the nature around them.

Conclusion: Katsushika Hokusai was an amazing person to learn more about. I never would have guessed that he had an interesting, yet normal life. Learning how despite his age, he’d change his art style when he felt it was the right time teaches me that it is never too late to learn different art styles to find the right one for you. After all the artwork and contributions he made to Japan, he still believed he was not an artist, on his deathbed saying, “If only Heaven will give me just another ten years… Just another five more years, then I could become a real painter.” I am glad that I took the time to learn more about him and become even more inspired by his work.