Hokusai

by Sarah E. Thompson (Contributor), Joan Wright (Text), Philip Meredith (Text)

Hokusai’s paper lanterns, games and paper toys show him to be an ingenious master of materials Katsushika Hokusai remains one of Japan's most popular and influential artists. This handy volume presents the wide range of Hokusai's artistic production in terms of one of his most remarkable his intellectual ingenuity. It explores the question of how the self-styled "Man Mad about Drawing" approached his subjects―how he depicted human bodies in motion, combined figures and landscapes, represented three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional surfaces and when he used the techniques of illusionism or adjusted reality for greater visual or emotional effect. Including some 50 stunning and unusual paintings, prints and drawings from the peerless Hokusai collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this book is a treasure trove that introduces readers to a witty, wide-ranging and inimitably ingenious Hokusai.

Known by at least 30 other names during his lifetime, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was an ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period. In 1800, he published his two classic collections of landscapes, Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital and Eight Views of Edo . His influence extended to his Western contemporaries in nineteenth-century Europe, including Degas, Gauguin, Klimt, Franz Marc, August Macke, Manet and van Gogh.

Genres: Art, Japan, Nonfiction, Art History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

Sarah E. Thompson Assistant Curator for Japanese Prints in Art of Asia, Oceania, and Africa Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautifully designed book. The reproductions are lovely, and the breadth and depth of work chosen is fantastic. Not surprising, though, considering the source.

[Jerry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about Hokusai from an illustration teacher I had in high school. He particularly liked the manga books. It took another 48 years for me to finally get a book on Hokusai. This one does him justice. He is probably the best known Japanese artist in the West. He is best known for a print normally called 'The Great Wave' in English, but he is more than just that. His silk paintings, if one can judge from the images, are exquisite.

This book has a relatively short biography but it is good enough for most Westerners to get a handle on who he was. The images are well selected and well reproduced.

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I go to art museums to read the labels. I love the scraps of data that can help me contextualize what I'm seeing, that can give me an extra layer to consider. If anything, I sometimes spend more time on the museum label than on the art itself.

For people like me, this book is a treat. It leans heavily into historical context, as well as the stylistic choices Hokusai makes in each piece profiled. The biographical section is sufficient but doesn't overstay its welcome. And I felt that the editors did a good job of using full page spreads whenever the text highlighted particular details that deserved second looks. It's well presented worth flipping through even if you're not a label-head like myself.

The Great Wave stands out for good reason, but there's a lot more to see here.

[Vance Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is authored by Sarah Thompson from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. A nice video companion piece can be found here: https://youtu.be/sM_z56RdKLs

Most interesting to me was an explanation of the introduction of Prussian Blue to the Japanese. So key to "The Wave" and art, in general, circulating in Japan in the 1800s. There is biographical info as well as thoughtful descriptions of Hokusai's work in the BFA's collection.

[Jake Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted narrative and analysis. Instead, this is a reference, like expanded labels at an art museum.

[Paul Brandwein · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are not familiar with the name "Hokusai" you are sure to have seen images of his "Great Wave" woodblock print. I enjoyed the many excellent reproductions and learned a lot about Hokusai and the history and culture of Japan at that time (1760-1849)

[Hung-ya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of ukiyo-e and also a fan of Hokusai, this is one of the books for you. A very beautifully designed book that includes many of his famous or most representative works and background stories.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks MFA for this great collection.