I have to admit that I came to this book as someone with very limited knowledge (and even less understanding) of Hokusai’s work. I hope I am not the only one who thought: ‘Hokusai? The Great Wave?’ and then could add very little more. If you are like me then you need this book. I suspect you will get even more from it if you already know something about late 18th and 19th century Japanese art.
Hokusai: The Master’s Legacy presents a selection of more than 200 works. It is a sumptuous volume with exceptionally high quality illustrations coupled with a text that supplies both a historical and an artistic context in which to explore these images.
Setting Hokusai’s life (1760 to 1849) and work in Japanese society gave me the opportunity to begin to appreciate the significance of details (the bow on an obi, the use of colour, the oblique indicators of seasons) and enriched my reading of the art. By pointing out that the arrival of the US Fleet in 1854 opened up Japanese ports to trade with Europe and the USA I realised why the passion for all things Japanese swept Europe soon afterwards. The fabrics, prints, furniture and porcelain must have been an explosive revelation of a new (to us) approach to design, technology and art. Realism gives way to minute detail of stylised figures, perspective is almost abandoned. Impressionism and Post Impressionism show some of the impact.
And I had no idea at all of Hokusai’s range. Yes, The Great Wave keeps its impact, but the landscapes (not just Mount Fuji) and the figurative work are a revelation. And although he was a significant master in his own time, and hugely influential, he did not work alone. The inclusion of a broad selection of works by his contemporary, Keisai Eisen, provides an interesting comparison of styles. Eisien’s seductive female portraits are particularly striking.
Take this book away and linger over it as I have done/am still doing. It will enrich your artistic understanding.
Hokusai: The Master’s Legacy is published by Skira. Priced $55, £40, €46
Penny Deacon is the author of A Thankless Child and A Kind of Puritan.
Pub: Creative Content Ltd. Available on Amazon.co.uk