Katsushika Hokusai
1760-1849
A famous Japanese artist known for his beautiful woodblock prints, especially "The Great Wave off Kanagawa."
Early Life
Katsushika Hokusai was born in Japan in 1760, in a busy city called Edo, which is now known as Tokyo. As a child, he loved to draw and look closely at the world around him. He was curious about nature, people, and everyday life.
When Hokusai was a teenager, he became an apprentice, which means he learned from older artists. He practiced drawing and printing every day. Even though learning was hard at times, he never gave up on his love for art.
Becoming an Artist
Hokusai worked in a style called *ukiyo-e*, which means “pictures of the floating world.” These artworks showed scenes of daily life, famous places, actors, and nature. Instead of painting on canvas, Hokusai made woodblock prints. This allowed many copies of his art to be shared with people.
Hokusai used many different names during his life, which was common for artists at that time. Each new name showed a new stage in his learning. He believed that he was always improving and never stopped trying to get better.
Famous Works
Hokusai is most famous for his artwork called **"The Great Wave off Kanagawa."** It shows a huge blue wave curling over boats, with Mount Fuji standing quietly in the background. This picture is loved all around the world.
He also created a series called **"Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji."** These artworks showed Japan’s most famous mountain in different seasons, weather, and places. Hokusai loved Mount Fuji and believed it was special and powerful.
Later Years and Legacy
Hokusai kept making art even when he was very old. He once said that if he lived longer, he would become an even better artist. This shows how much he believed in learning and practice.
Today, Hokusai’s art is displayed in museums all over the world. His work inspired many artists, including painters in Europe. He is remembered as one of Japan’s greatest artists.
Why Hokusai Inspires Us
Hokusai teaches us to stay curious, work hard, and never stop learning. No matter your age, you can always improve and try new things.
🎉 Fun Facts
Hokusai created over 30,000 artworks during his lifetime.
He used more than 30 different artist names.
"The Great Wave" is so famous that people recognize it all over the world.
Hokusai loved Mount Fuji and believed it brought good luck.
He once said he only began to understand art when he was in his 70s!