Morning Glories in Flowers and Buds 1832

Katsushika Hokusai, born in 1760, created this woodblock print titled, "Morning Glories in Flowers and Buds." His work comes out of the Edo period, a time when Japanese art was flourishing, and a sense of national identity was being defined. This print encapsulates a certain tension, as Hokusai simultaneously engages with and departs from traditional representations. While flower and bird prints were conventional, he uniquely brings nature into focus, capturing a transient moment, the glory of the morning. Hokusai was concerned with how he was perceived, at one point noting, "From the age of six, I had a passion for copying the form of things." This pursuit led him to explore the relationship between self and the natural world. How do we, like these morning glories, unfurl and then fade? "Morning Glories in Flowers and Buds" is more than just a botanical study; it's a reflection on the ephemeral nature of existence, mirroring the societal and personal transformations of Hokusai's world.