Know the Artist: Hokusai

The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai (b. 1760, Tokyo) has swept across the centuries with enduring velocity, but it’s only one of some 30,000 artworks by this weird and wonderful Edo Period prodigy.
Several Circles is comprised of two loved up art professionals (and their cat, Jimmy) living and working in New York. Here, we tell the stories of extraordinary artists from history and the contemporary day. Written and hosted by Rachel, content and copywriter at the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC. Produced by Jason, a professional art installer.
#hokusai #thegreatwave #葛飾 北斎

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Hokusai became a favorite when I was a child. I’m 70. He’s more than withstood the test of time!

[@TheArtTourist]

How fantastic! His work certainly holds up! 🌊

[@rodeastell3615]

Excellent and very interesting video. Thank you for posting.

[@nanwilder2853]

As a 17 year old in the early 1970s, I was taken in (until age 18) by the parents of a neighbor/friend, due to my mother’s mental illness. The father of my friend, Mr. Michael Madden, had a family history I found fascinating, as I had a love of Japanese Ukiyo-e Art ; as an aspiring Artist myself, I loved pouring through Art books, and the Maddens encouraged my doing so. . . Mr. Madden’s father had grown up in Japan, as his father was a missionary there, and so, the Maddens had a Samurai sword on a living room wall, as well as a trunkful of true TREASURE : Many small sketchbooks, handmade by Hokusai himself!! I felt so proud to be allowed to hold and look through some of the small wonders, which eventually were given to a museum.

[@rutviksbhandge2139]

Hokusai is one of my favourite artists, instant click when this video showed up on notifications. Keep up the great work!

[@TheArtTourist]

Woohoo! So glad to hear, thank you for the encouragement!

[@moridgeway]

A very well done presentation. Thank you for this clear, concise history of Hokusai.

[@MazinGo-1972]

Wonderful video. His prints involving supernatural stories might be gaining more popularity in the future now that Japanese folklore is being translated into English more. There's a book out now about modern Manga evolving from American comic strips rather then Hokusai Manga so it's great that you made a distinction between the two.

[@TheArtTourist]

His supernatural prints are the best. We regret not showing more of them in the video. Thanks for watching!

[@fishypaw]

Hokusai is a bit like the Japanese Picasso, I think. Very prolific, eccentric, enjoyed life, loved trying new things, and inspired many artists all around the world.

[@catbaril9072]

Ehh. I can see the prolific and eccentric part. But picasso was hum. Well I suggest you look up his ways of life. I have no respect for the man to be honest. But don’t take my word for it I guess, it’s best to learn about those things ourselves I think. Trigger warning for abuse on the whole thing though.

[@daviddemar8749]

Great analogy

[@freecandysugar]

Comparing Picasso to Hokusai hahahaha, Picasso wasnt even good in basic drawings.

[@thehellfromthemountaint]

Nah, as I read it's actually closer to impressionism

[@kaws-wo2zo]

Such a great video! I always wanted to learn more about him so this was very helpful!

[@markotomich]

W channel, W host, W Art This is why i follow you.

[@mawafellowhuman]

So glad I discovered your channel. Thank you!

[@diegoinjapan]

Great video. Thanks for creating that. I’ve picked up a few of his books recently, so your video provided some valuable context.

[@hza20780]

just discovered your channel and I'm enjoying your videos! The cat intros make me smile every time.

[@TheArtTourist]

Amazing! Welcome :) Jimmy does make everything better 😺

[@arcadia4691]

I've been studying Utagawa (real name Ando) Hiroshige, and his amazing landscape art. But as of lately, even Hokusai's artwork has been impressing me, so I might shift my attention to him as well.

[@TheArtTourist]

Hiroshige was also an incredible artist, Hokusai is just arguably more iconic (plus he has an especially electric life story). Definitely worthwhile to get to know both!

[@arcadia4691]

@@TheArtTourist Definitely agreed. He's more than worthy.

[@robertmather6152]

Thank you for another informative presentation. Your work is most appreciated.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement, as always!

[@els1f]

I can't stop watching these amazing videos! I love the story of his daughter living a happy life with him in his old age 😊 I have a request. The Japanese obsession in western art makes me think of Aubrey Beardsley. Some of his work seems to be much more modern than it is. "The climax" has been one of my rotating desktops for years, and it still doesn't feel out of place on a computer monitor🙂👍

[@TheArtTourist]

Yes! Their relationship is very endearing. Aubrey Beardsley is coming soon, he’s on the list!

[@els1f]

@@TheArtTourist interesting, I'm glad to hear it! After i made that comment, I was wondering if his short life as an artist would contain enough to fill an episode🙂

[@tonileivar]

I love how informative and well put together all of your videos are.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! So glad you’re enjoying them!

[@gusta9839]

such a great video, thank you!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@TL_oS]

You make wonderful videos. And I love your cat💗

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you so much! 😺

[@richiefischer6506]

I love the Great Wave painting!!

[@2eyeson2b]

Your presentation is as enjoyable as the artwork you discuss. Thank you. Just happened onto your channel and now subscribed.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thanks and welcome!

[@glennlopez6772]

Thanks for the video and your enthusiastic commentary! Now wasn't that naughty animating the image of Hokusai on the right of the screen! I first noticed the fingers and then the rest! Quite a charming idea!

[@user-vl1tb1xx2d]

you're so underrated :(

[@TheBlaBlaThing]

Great videos, keep them coming!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! Will do :)

[@rotterred991]

I very much enjoyed this. I wish you'd shown the Nightscene in the Yoshiwara, by Katsushika Oi (Miss Hokusai); I think it's a masterpiece. There's also a manga about her as well as an animé called, naturally, Miss Hokusai. I've watched the movie here on YT but haven't checked to see if it's still available. Thank you.

[@TheArtTourist]

Believe it or not we watched Miss Hokusai for research 🧐

[@stephanerichard6267]

I didn't know much about him . Thanks for the video

[@mikeityike]

I love your series. Very informative

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you!!

[@olafvivas1955]

Tus vídeos enriquecen mi día

[@willalwaystelehandler8450]

Great video's clear thou little quick on🗣️,, Probably the greatest art ever done

[@cyb-m]

🌊 it even has an emoji.

[@naseep306]

Got yourself a new subscriber here. Lovin' your channel! You definitely deserve more subscribers!

[@TheArtTourist]

Yay! Thank you!

[@D_ARTE_TALLER_ALTERNO]

🎨♥

[@valgranaire]

Great coverage. A minor quibble, the G in Hiroshige is pronounced like hard G in "game" or "gain" instead of soft G in "gemstone" or "general." Hope you can cover other great printmakers in future episodes like Hans Holbein the Younger or Albrecht Dürer.

[@TheArtTourist]

Ah! Thank you for pointing that out! Good to know for future reference. Holbein and Dürer are both on the list :)

[@Nothing-ce8uv]

Would love to hear about Ito Jakuchu and Rene Magritte!

[@blank-nl8ef]

🦁

[@vanhouten64]

What i don't understand about Hokusai and other "screen print artists" is: in what form does his art survive? Do these blocks of wood (or whatever they're made of) still exist? Are they still used to create modern copies of his work?

[@RichMitch]

Hi there!

[@kaibalogun7974]

did hokusai just blink?

[@michaelbenenson]

Excellent coverage. Thank you. I wonder if Hokusai's european contemporaries influenced any Japanese artists at the time, especially as regards portraiture and depicting the emotions..... Hmmm.

[@TheArtTourist]

Great question! My understanding is that Japan continued to limit trade with Europe until Emperor Meiji came to power (not long after Hokusai’s death), so while the restrictions eased toward the end of the Edo period, it seems like European influence on Japanese artists would have been somewhat scant until Japan re-opened its borders. But the European art that did slip through definitely influenced those uki-e perspective pictures!

[@michaelbenenson]

@@TheArtTourist Thank you for your finding. I just wonder if the translation of any emotional expression is anything other than graphically or symbolically depicted in early Japanese art,hence my hmmm!

[@smarc1325]

Kano Hogai., my favorite

[@JorgetaHP]

There is a really incredible manga called "HOKUSAI" by Shotaro Ishinomori, but I believe that there is no English version of it... :( (I've read it in a Brazillian Portuguese edition)

[@weiran672]

It would be wonderful if the KZbinr could add the caption since some professional terms are not commonly used in life.

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

He would make a “big splash” - I see what you did there.

[@aliyahfarooqi4119]

It would have been better if captions were provided. Great work anyways.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you! Sorry about that, the captions are managed by KZbin and they often glitch out. We'll look into it!

[@Rootworkernomad44]

How about Charles White or herny o Tanner they need your thoughts on their Art

[@TheArtTourist]

Charles White is amazing! We briefly covered Tanner in our 50 Random Art History Facts video but both are fantastic suggestions!

[@congratulashuns]

Is this Art Deco ? you sound like her

[@TheArtTourist]

Nope lol

[@symonemartinez_art7477]

lol that part about cleaning....same

[@rassstko]

What about Andrei Rublev? I belive your take will be interesting.

[@TheArtTourist]

We love us some iconography. We’ll add him to our list!

[@chinesecabbagefarmer]

yo great water

[@benninasc]

The number os likes here... Its a crime!

[@pigeondance687]

can't believe they were already making tentacle porn in the 19th century lol