Slow Art Sunday - Hokusai

Inspired by snow that insists on still coming around, we are travelling to Japan on this Slow Art Saturday. Take some time to observe “Morning after the Snow at Koishikawa in Edo” (1830-32). The artist, Hokusai, was born in 1760 in Japan and lived during the Edo Period when people enjoyed the arts and culture and relative peace in the country. He is best known for his woodblock prints (Ukiyo-e) and most recognized for his series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” of which this is one.  It is a lovely far-reaching scene which includes a teahouse where a waitress points out Mount Fuji to guests. You may be familiar with Hokusai’s most famous work, “The Great Wave” (swipe to see).

He began apprenticing as a wood carver at the age of 14 and although Western art was forbidden at the time, Hokusai had seen some smuggled paintings and prints.  He combined this influence with traditional Japanese style and revolutionized the Ukiyo-e form.  

The word “Manga” was first used by Hokusai when he created amusing images for fellow students. It has lived through the centuries to now be a popular Japanese comic style.  Spend a few minutes looking around the whole picture.  What stands out to you most. If you were to now title this artwork 200 years later, what would you call it?  Happy looking!