葛飾北斎 Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
Ukiyo-e artist of the late Edo period. Born in Honjo, Edo, he is a world-famous painter whose representative works include "36 Views of Mount Fuji" and "Hokusai Manga. Hokusai was a man of many eccentricities and anecdotes, having moved more than 90 times. He changed his name as often as 30 times in his life.
He painted all kinds of things and produced more than 30,000 works in his lifetime. He was ambitious from a young age, and was outstanding in ukiyoe (woodblock prints) as well as prints. However, Hokusai's status as a painter was not only solidified with the publication of "36 Views of Mount Fuji," but he also opened up a new side to landscape painting. Hokusai's achievements were truly huge peaks in Ukiyoe, but his mastery of description and quick brushwork can also be seen in the Hokusai Manga.
In addition, he discovered a new approach to the art of yomihon (reading books) and illustration, published many picture books including "Hokusai Manga," and used his skill in drawing forms with a brush to spread painting techniques and educate the general public. He became the founder of the Katsushika School, and later influenced artists of the Impressionist school such as Vincent van Gogh, as well as craftsmen and musicians.