Hokusai's Album of Pictures 1849

Katsushika Hokusai produced this album of pictures in Japan sometime in the 19th Century. The album represents Hokusai's contribution to the popular art movement of the Edo period known as Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." Ukiyo-e prints and books emerged as a visual expression of the era's changing social dynamics. During this time, Japan experienced a surge in urbanization and the rise of a merchant class, which led to the growth of a vibrant urban culture. The floating world celebrated the pleasures and entertainments of urban life, featuring images of courtesans, actors, landscapes, and everyday scenes. Hokusai's album exemplifies this genre, with its depictions of popular subjects catering to the tastes of the urban population. Historians of Japanese culture rely on a variety of sources, including woodblock prints, illustrated books, and other visual and textual materials. By studying these cultural artifacts, we can gain insights into the social, economic, and cultural transformations that shaped the world of Hokusai and his contemporaries.