Transmitting the Spirit and Revealing the Form of Things- Hokusai's Sketchbooks 1814

Katsushika Hokusai made this sketchbook sometime in his long career, using ink on paper. The book is full of everyday people doing everyday things, and it gives us a peek into Japanese life and culture in the Edo period. Hokusai's work was affordable and widely available, a departure from the traditional art world that catered to the elite. His art democratized art, making it accessible to a broader audience. Hokusai's prints were also a big hit in Europe, playing a role in the Japonisme movement that influenced artists like Van Gogh and Monet. To really understand Hokusai's work, we can dive into the history books, looking at what was happening in Japan at the time and how artists were shaking things up. Considering the social and institutional forces at play helps us see just how groundbreaking Hokusai was.