Latest news with #HokusaiManga
Metropolis Japan
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
International Hokusai Club
When The Great Wave off Kanagawa started appearing on t-shirts and phone cases, I wondered if people knew the artist behind it. The name Katsushika Hokusai doesn't always come up, but his brushwork has rippled through global art history—from Monet's garden to pop culture timelines. Now, a new initiative is putting Hokusai back at the center of the conversation, and not just in Japan. The International Hokusai Club was recently launched to share Hokusai's legacy beyond museum walls, focusing on his role not just as a ukiyo-e printmaker but also as an educator, innovator and global bridge between Edo-period aesthetics and modern design. In a 1999 issue, Life magazine named Hokusai the only Japanese person among the top 100 people who shaped the last millennium. That's no small recognition. But ironically, many in Japan still associate him with just a few famous prints. In contrast, overseas curators, collectors and scholars have been unpacking his layers for decades. At a recent press presentation hosted by the Japan Art Academy, cultural experts—including art historian Hidehiko Tsunoda and Fujihisashi, a global arts advisor—highlighted how museums in the U.S. and Europe see Hokusai as more than an artist. He's studied as a designer, animator even a kind of social commentator. What stood out was the idea that Hokusai's value isn't static—it's still being uncovered. That's where the club comes in. Think of it as a cultural platform: part fan club, part think tank. The club is structured with multiple membership tiers—corporate, full and general—allowing institutions, collectors and individuals to participate in different ways. Membership fees are still being finalized, but applications can be submitted through flyers at each event or via the Japan Art Academy website. The real mission? To reintroduce Hokusai as a dynamic figure through global exhibitions, educational outreach and high-tech preservation. In 2026, the club plans to launch the traveling 'Educator Hokusai Exhibition,' featuring animated shorts based on Hokusai Manga , rare hand-painted scrolls and interactive displays using ultra-high-resolution digital scans. Stops will include California, Singapore, Dubai, Paris and Milan. And it won't just be a passive experience. Workshops for families, school tours and lectures will be part of the rollout. The club is also working with overseas museums and collectors to expand Hokusai's representation in Western collections. TOPPAN Holdings introduced a demo of their digital imaging tech at the launch event—scanning Hokusai's brushstrokes down to the micron. The goal? To protect these fragile works for future generations while also using the data for research and exhibition. There's also a grassroots side to the club. Monthly 'Hokusai Club' meetups are being planned in Japan, and art-focused tours both domestically and abroad are in the works. The club isn't just about fans—it's got some serious backing. Honorary patrons include kabuki masters, art dealers, professors and even former ambassadors. But the door's open to anyone. If you're into traditional art, digital preservation or just wondering how a painter from the Edo period ended up on sneakers, there's a place for you here. How to Join or Learn More: Visit the Japan Art Academy's site at Or, reach out to contact@ to learn more. English applications and inquiries are welcome! Interested in Japanese art? Check out our other articles on quintessential Japanese artists: Kiyoshi Awazu and the Reinvention of Contemporary Japanese Aesthetics Ryushi Kawabata Dragon Knots by Yumiko Yamakawa
Jordan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Amman hosts Hokusai Manga exhibition to boost Jordan-Japan cultural ties
The exhibition pays tribute to the creative heritage of Katsushika Hokusai, a 'legendary' figure in Japanese art (Petra photo) AMMAN — The Japanese embassy, in partnership with the Japan Foundation and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), on Wednesday launched the Hokusai Manga exhibition at Ras Al Ain Gallery, ushering in a fresh phase of cultural collaboration between Jordan and Japan. According to a statement from the embassy, the exhibition pays tribute to the creative heritage of Katsushika Hokusai, a 'legendary' figure in Japanese art, while showcasing the journey of manga from its classical roots to its contemporary forms. The event invites the public to discover a form of visual storytelling that connects Japan's traditional art with today's internationally beloved manga scene. Japanese Ambassador Asari Hideki highlighted the importance of cultural engagement in enhancing the relationship between the two nations, emphasising a "mutual dedication" to fostering understanding through the arts. Deputy City Manager for Community Affairs at GAM Hatem Hamlan reiterated Amman's "ongoing support" for cultural initiatives that promote global dialogue and artistic appreciation. The exhibition runs from Wednesday to May 20, with opening hours from 10:00am to 7:00pm. On Fridays, it will be open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm, and on Saturdays from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, offering visitors a "distinctive" chance to engage with Japan's "vibrant" visual art traditions, the embassy noted.
Arab News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform
JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8. Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom. Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah's historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai's work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras. The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom. Hokusai's manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry. Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string. The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to 'transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,' highlighting the collection's educational purpose. Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today's 'How to Draw Manga' guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan's greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition. 'Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,' Yamamoto said. 'His print designs invited audiences to witness nature's transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.' According to an official statement, Hokusai's work captured Japan's diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy. (This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other's culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation. Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah Reflecting on the exhibition's significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: 'Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other's culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.' Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga's evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques. Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols. Hokusai's most popular collection of printed drawings was named 'manga.' While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate 'manga' with cartoons or humorous images. When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai's manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny. In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai's manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection's lasting appeal. Today's Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.
