One-liner
Japanese ukiyo‑e master who turned waves and mountains into icons.
Artist profile
Katsushika Hokusai
A printmaker who turned waves and mountains into icons.
He captured everyday life and epic nature with bold lines and unforgettable rhythm.
About the artist
Short bio
Born in Edo, Hokusai worked across decades as a painter and printmaker, constantly reinventing his style.
Quick facts
- Full name: Katsushika Hokusai
- Born: October 1760, Edo (now Tokyo), Japan
- Died: May 10, 1849, Edo, Japan
- Nationality: Japanese
- Movement: Ukiyo‑e
- Known for: Thirty‑six Views of Mount Fuji
How to see
- Trace the main curve—it carries the energy of the scene.
- Notice the flat color and strong outline; it’s graphic on purpose.
- Look for Mount Fuji as a quiet anchor.
Context and influence
Trained in ukiyo‑e printmaking, he elevated landscape prints to a new level of ambition.
Major works
- The Great Wave off Kanagawa (c. 1831)
- Fine Wind, Clear Morning (Red Fuji) (c. 1831)
- Thirty‑six Views of Mount Fuji (series, 1826–33)
Key moments
Three quick beats that help you feel the story.
The person
Hokusai reinvented his style throughout his long career, always experimenting.
The moment
The Great Wave shows motion and danger with elegant, controlled design.
The impact
His prints shaped global graphic design and the way we read bold shapes.
Artwork highlights
Pieces mentioned in the story, with a closer look.
The Great Wave
Red Fuji
Try this
Try this: trace the curve of the wave and feel the movement.