Katsushika Hokusai (a man known by many names throughout his career) was a Japanese artist, printmaker and ukiyo-e painter, (Japanese art that depicts subjects from everyday life) and in his career he designed dioramas made into children’s toys; he was also known to have created the earliest forms of Manga art. He studied, and was influenced by European and Dutch works as well as traditional Japanese styles. After Japan opened its borders in the 1850s, the works of Hokusai began to inspire European impressionism with artists like Claude Monet collecting his prints.

Hokusai Katsushika, Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji – Koshu (Edo 1603-1868)

With over 30,000 works in his portfolio, perhaps his most famous is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and is one of my favorite pieces of art as it inspires a sense of peace, calm and tranquility. Part of the series he titled ‘Thirty Six views of Mount Fuji”, this depicted the mountain from all angles and environments. At the time, woodblock printing was seen as a method of commercial printing rather than fine art, but today Hokusai’s work is sought after by museums, galleries and independent collectors around the world.

Katsushika Hokusai is now regarded by many as a master, his distinct style and traditional mediums are an influence to artists of all disciplines and his work is recognised and appreciated even by those with not much artistic knowledge.