Summary
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), the Japanese artist whose views of Mt Fuji such as The Great Wave off Kanagawa (pictured) are some of the most iconic in world art. He worked as Japan was slowly moving towards greater contact with the outside world, trading with China and allowing two Dutch ships to dock each year. From these ships he picked up new synthetic colours and illustrations with Western compositions, which he incorporated in his traditional wood block prints. The quality of his images helped drive demand for prints among the highly literate Japanese public, particularly those required to travel to Edo under feudal obligations and who wanted to collect all his prints. As well as the quality of his work, Hokusai's success stems partly from his long life and career. He completed some of his most memorable works in his 70s and 80s and claimed he would not reach his best until he was 110.
With
Angus Lockyer Lecturer in Japanese History at SOAS University of London
Rosina Buckland Senior Curator of Japanese Collections at the National Museum of Scotland
And
Ellis Tinios Honorary Lecturer in the School of History, University of Leeds
Producer: Simon Tillotson.
Transcript
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| 0:47.0 | Hello, Hokosai born in 1760 was a major power in Japanese art |
| 0:52.0 | creating extraordinary images at a time when Japan was largely closed off from global cultures. |
| 0:57.0 | The older he grew, the better he became. He began his 70s with the Great Wave, now one of the best known graphic images in the world. and his |
| 1:05.0 | hope was to live to a hundred and his hope was to improve he reached new heights over the next two decades and his hope was to live to 110 |
| 1:10.0 | when he thought he would become a true master. |
| 1:13.0 | When Japan opened up in the years after Hawker's death in 1849, |
| 1:17.0 | his works were displayed in Paris. |
| 1:19.0 | They caused a sensation and inspired generations of artists from the impressionists down to today. |
| 1:25.4 | With me to discuss the life and work of Pocosai are Angus Lockyer, lecturer in Japanese |
| 1:30.4 | history at Sowas, University of London, Rosina Buckland, senior |
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