1. Early Life and Background
Katsushika Hokusai, one of the most celebrated Japanese artists in history, was born on October 31, 1760 in the Katsushika district of Edo (now Tokyo), Japan. He was born Tokitarō — his real name — though he would go on to use over 30 different names throughout his lifetime, as was traditional in the Japanese artistic world.
Hokusai came from a relatively humble background. His father was Nakajima Ise, a mirror-maker for the shogun. His mother’s name is not recorded, and little is known about her, suggesting she may have died when Hokusai was still a child. Hokusai did not inherit his father’s position and was likely born to a concubine, which meant he lacked certain social privileges.
2. Career Beginnings and Hardships
Hokusai began working as an apprentice to a wood-carver at the age of 14. By the time he was 18, he was accepted into the studio of Katsukawa Shunshō, a leading ukiyo-e artist. There, he learned the fundamentals of woodblock printing and painting, primarily producing portraits of actors and courtesans in the popular Edo style.
After Shunshō’s death in 1793, Hokusai was expelled from the Katsukawa school, likely due to stylistic experimentation outside their strict traditions. This was a significant hardship in his early career. However, this expulsion marked a turning point: he began to forge his unique artistic identity, influenced by both Japanese and Western artistic principles.
For years, Hokusai struggled financially and artistically, constantly changing names and styles, which confused patrons but allowed him to explore many artistic directions.
3. Rise to Stardom and Major Works
Hokusai’s most famous period came after the age of 60 — unusually late for an artist. In the 1820s and 1830s, he produced his most iconic work, the woodblock print series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” (1830–1832), which included his global masterpiece, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
This period solidified his reputation not only in Japan but eventually around the world. His depictions of nature, the ordinary lives of Japanese people, and dramatic landscapes distinguished his work from the typical ukiyo-e focus on actors and courtesans.
Hokusai also created instructional manuals called Hokusai Manga, a series of sketchbooks which influenced generations of artists — both in Japan and in the West (especially French Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh).
However, fame did not equal fortune. Despite his recognition, Hokusai remained financially unstable, often living in poverty, and was prone to moving frequently due to unpaid rents or fires — which plagued Edo.
4. Later Life and Legacy
In his 70s and 80s, Hokusai continued to produce work prolifically, often claiming he was only beginning to understand how to paint. He once famously said:
“At 100, I will surely have become truly marvelous.”
Hokusai died on May 10, 1849, at the age of 88. His final wish was to live longer — to fully realize his artistic potential.
Despite a life of hardship, Hokusai’s legacy grew massively posthumously. His influence extended not only through Japanese art but deeply impacted European artists and the modern art world. Today, he is regarded as a pioneer of Japanese visual culture, and The Great Wave remains one of the most recognized works of art in the world.
5. Personal Life and Identity
Hokusai was known for being eccentric, restless, and extremely dedicated to his art. He was married twice and had several children, including Ōi (also known as Katsushika Ōi), a talented daughter who became an accomplished artist herself.
He never settled for long in one place and was constantly experimenting with different techniques, styles, and subject matter. His religion was aligned with Buddhism and Shinto, which subtly influenced his worldview and artistic themes.
Though much of his personal life was shrouded in mystery, Hokusai’s obsession with immortality through art was evident in his lifelong passion and tireless output.
6. Detailed Bio-Facts Section
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Tokitarō |
| Artist Name(s) | Katsushika Hokusai (among 30+ pseudonyms) |
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1760 |
| Date of Death | May 10, 1849 (Age 88) |
| Birth Place | Edo (now Tokyo), Japan |
| Residence | Edo, Japan (moved frequently) |
| Profession | Ukiyo-e artist, printmaker, illustrator |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Religion | Primarily Buddhist (with some Shinto influence) |
| Partner | Two marriages (names not well documented) |
| Father | Nakajima Ise (mirror-maker) |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Age at Death | 88 years |
Physical Stats (Note: Historical artists like Hokusai have limited physical records; details below are speculative or unavailable.)
| Body Measurements | Not documented |
| Bra Size | N/A (male) |
| Hip Size | Not documented |
| Weight | Not documented |
| Height | Estimated ~5’4″ (typical for men in Edo era) |
| Body Type | Lean, elderly in later life |
| Eye Color | Likely dark brown (typical for Japanese ethnicity)|
| Hair Color | Black (grayed with age) |
Final Thoughts
Katsushika Hokusai lived a life defined by artistic passion, reinvention, poverty, and brilliance. From a wood-carver’s apprentice to one of the most influential artists in world history, his journey is a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge late in life — through resilience, curiosity, and unrelenting creativity.