Hokusai Hardcover – May 26, 2015

Looking for a good introduction to Hokusai? There are of course lots of books about this great artist. Some are weighty, oversized tomes that I suspect are more impressive-looking (and impressive) than they are read. Five hundred page volumes complete with scholarly text are not the optimal place to start learning about the genius who conceived “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” - the world’s most famous print.That’s why I prefer Ms. Thompson’s book. It’s the best introduction I’ve read for those who want to learn or know more about Katsushika Hokusai (or one of the other 30 names he chose to call himself over a 70+ year artistic career). There’s lots of information here about Hokusai’s life and art, along with background on the Edo period in which he lived. The writing is fine and strikes the right balance between too simple and abstruse.The book’s 162 pages cannot be any more comprehensive than an introduction to some other subject. Nevertheless the text along with wonderfully photographed illustrations and illuminating closeup cutaways hit all the highlights of Hokusai’s art which you’ll need to get started. In sum, Hokusai is an excellent foundation for further reading and museum exhibition viewing.

I really wanted the book ' Lost manga of Hokusai ' but they had it in the local library , so I opted for another book of Hokusai . I love his work , not just the well known ' Wave ' . The way he puts down his characters , the movement of their feet and hands is truly masterful . You just feel how they push their burdens or hasten to get somewhere . The horses he draws are so good , I love the way he paints their heads . As a budding artist , you could do worse than study the way he draws . And he has made so many drawings ! As he says himself : from 6 years old to almost the day he died , he picked up a brush and drew . If only I had done that ... I recommend this book and nearly all books about this great artist .

This book is exactly what I was looking for, I guarantee it's what you're looking for too. Beautiful prints and some descriptions/anecdotes to go along with a few of them. Makes for a great coffee table / art reference / fun reading book. Stop waiting and just buy it! I see now its on sale but that doesn't even bother me that I paid full price for it, its that's good - so what are you waiting for, stop reading this review and buy it!!

This book isn't quite the same as seeing the museum exhibition, but it's the next best thing. Really gorgeous, lavish illustrations including some works I'd never seen before. Highly recommended.

An accessible, extensively illustrated and clearly written introduction to the works of Japans best known artist. This volume emphasises the sheer scale and breadth of compass of Hokusai's creative activities. Readers can gain insights into the diverse preoccupations of an astonishingly active creative mind.

Katsushika Hokusai is one of the great geniuses of Japanese, and for that matter, world, art. Whether creating brilliant wood block prints--brilliant in the sense of composition, not necessarily color--or paintings, this unusually long-lived, for his era, late 19th century painter created unforgettable works of art, the most recognizable of which, "The Great Wave of Kanagawa" attracts world-wide art lovers. This is the catalogue for the currentexhibit of "Hokusai" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in summer 2015. Excellent text by curator Sarah E. Thompson is the frosting on the cake for this fine book.

This is a beautiful book, great explanations about the work. I love that it's a MFA original.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK!

Um dos livros mais legais q li esse ano. O preço é justo, vendo a qualidade, tanto da capa, sobrecapa e folhas. Parece uma boa introdução ao Hokusai. Há um comentário sobre as principais obras dele e o contexto histórico de cada uma. Só esperava do autor uma análise mais técnica na ótica de arte mesmo sobre as obras. Alguns comentários se resumem ao q levou o Hokusai a pintar aquilo, mas não ha nada sobre a questão técnica, cores etc.

Los materiales son muy buenos, no hay ningún detalle negativo.La lectura es algo monótona, la información es regular, pero la impresión es de gran calidad.

This book filled out my Hokusai collection. I love the composition of his works, though I am most interested in the landscapes rather than the manga or geisha. A great artist up there with, and inspiring, van Gogh.

The book was a present for my wife, she loves it. Believes it to be the best and most informative book she has ever seen on Hokusai and was amazed at the quality of the presentation.

Beautiful book with lots of knowledge. Great for understandimg the art and taking references