『画本葛飾振』|Picture Book in the Katsushika Style (Ehon Katsushika-buri)

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokus, the legendary Japanese artist renowned for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints like *The Great Wave off Kanagawa created *Picture Book in the Katsushika Style (Ehonushika-buri)* 1836 during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868). This folding album captures Hokusai's dynamic mastery of everyday subjects—men, animals, and horsesrendered in his signature Katsushika style, named after his birthplace. As a rare *ehon* (picture book), it offers a window into the vibrant urban culture of 19th-century Japan, where art blended realism with expressive flair. The work consists of twenty-eight *hanshita-e*—block-ready drawings prepared for woodblock carving—executed in ink on paper, enhanced by woodblock-printed borders and titles. This technique reveals Hokusai's meticulous process: bold outlines and subtle shading designed for mass reproduction, highlighting the collaborative genius of Edo printmaking. At 10 x 15½ inches, the compact album format made it portable and collectible, bridging fine art and popular illustration. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department from the Charles Stewart Smith Collection, this piece underscores Hokusai's prolific output—over 30,000 works—and his enduring influence on global art, from Japanese *ukiyo-e* traditions to Impressionism. Visitors will appreciate its lively sketches as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into an artistic revolution.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...