Katsushika Hokusai: The Master of Oddly-Shaped Waves

Katsushika Hokusai, known as the “old man crazy about drawing,” was a Japanese artist who created some of the most iconic and recognizable works of art in the world. Famous for his woodblock prints, he was a true master of the craft, and his most famous work, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” features a giant, oddly-shaped wave that haunts the dreams of surfers to this day.

Born in 1760 in Edo (now Tokyo), Hokusai was a natural-born artist who began drawing at a young age. By the time he was 18, he had already entered an apprenticeship with a woodcarver and began learning the ropes of woodblock printing. It wasn’t long before Hokusai proved himself a true master of the art form.

Hokusai was known for his sense of humor and eccentricity. He often signed his work with a variety of pseudonyms, such as “The Old Man Mad About Drawing” and “The Brush Maniac.” He also had a penchant for creating unusual, comical characters in his prints, such as the “Octopus and Shellfish Gatherers” and the iconic “Laughing Man.”

But it was his depictions of the natural world, particularly his oddly-shaped waves, that truly set Hokusai apart. His paintings of Mount Fuji, which he created in a series of 36 prints, are considered some of the most beautiful and iconic depictions of the mountain. But it was his depiction of waves that truly caught the public’s imagination.

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” which featured a towering wave that dwarfed boats and threatened to engulf them, became an instant sensation upon its release in 1832. Today, it’s recognized as one of the most iconic and beloved works of art in the world.

Despite his many achievements, Hokusai was a humble and playful artist who never took himself too seriously. He once said that he wanted to live to be 110 so he could continue to improve his craft. He also famously claimed that “at the age of 90, I shall penetrate the mystery of things,” a promise that he largely kept until his death in 1849.

Today, Hokusai’s legacy lives on through his many works of art, as well as the countless artists who have been inspired by his humor, eccentricities, and beautifully odd waves.