Artistic Career and Success
At the beginning of Hokusai's career, he began producing many surimono paintings (brush paintings). By 1800, Hokusai began further developing his use of ukiyo-e while attracting students who where amazed by his technique. He soon became famous due to his incredible artwork and self-promotion. Hokusai then collaborated with the a popular novelist, Takizawa Bakin in 1807 on a series of illustrated books. Though the books became widely popular works, the two did not get along due to there differences in their artistic styles. Their collaboration was terminated while they were working on their fourth book. In the 1820’s Hokusai reached the peak of his career. During this time his most famous work, 36 Views of Mount Fuji, including the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa was created as well as his famous image, Poppies and Flock of Chickens. Unfortunately in 1839, Hokusai's entire studio and much of his work were destroyed in a fire. His career began its downfall afterwards due to the change in style throughout the years, yet Hokusai never stopped painting and strived to improve, until his death in 1849 in Tokyo, Japan.
Famous Quote
“All I have produced before the age of seventy is not worth taking into account. At seventy-three I have learned a little about the real structure of nature, of animals, plants, trees, birds, fishes and insects. In consequence when I am eighty, I shall have made still more progress. At ninety I shall penetrate the mystery of things; at one hundred I shall certainly have reached a marvelous stage; and when I am a hundred and ten, everything I do, be it a dot or a line, will be alive. I beg those who live as long as I to see if I do not keep my word. Written at the age of seventy five by me, once Hokusai, today Gwakyo Rojin, the old man mad about drawing.” -Katsushika Hokusai
Famous Works
At the beginning of Hokusai's career, he began producing many surimono paintings (brush paintings). By 1800, Hokusai began further developing his use of ukiyo-e while attracting students who where amazed by his technique. He soon became famous due to his incredible artwork and self-promotion. Hokusai then collaborated with the a popular novelist, Takizawa Bakin in 1807 on a series of illustrated books. Though the books became widely popular works, the two did not get along due to there differences in their artistic styles. Their collaboration was terminated while they were working on their fourth book. In the 1820’s Hokusai reached the peak of his career. During this time his most famous work, 36 Views of Mount Fuji, including the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa was created as well as his famous image, Poppies and Flock of Chickens. Unfortunately in 1839, Hokusai's entire studio and much of his work were destroyed in a fire. His career began its downfall afterwards due to the change in style throughout the years, yet Hokusai never stopped painting and strived to improve, until his death in 1849 in Tokyo, Japan.
Famous Quote
“All I have produced before the age of seventy is not worth taking into account. At seventy-three I have learned a little about the real structure of nature, of animals, plants, trees, birds, fishes and insects. In consequence when I am eighty, I shall have made still more progress. At ninety I shall penetrate the mystery of things; at one hundred I shall certainly have reached a marvelous stage; and when I am a hundred and ten, everything I do, be it a dot or a line, will be alive. I beg those who live as long as I to see if I do not keep my word. Written at the age of seventy five by me, once Hokusai, today Gwakyo Rojin, the old man mad about drawing.” -Katsushika Hokusai
Famous Works