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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| 0:00.0 | This is the BBC. |
| 0:02.0 | Thanks for downloading this episode of In Our Time. |
| 0:05.0 | There's a reading list to go with it on our website. |
| 0:07.0 | And you can get news about our programs if you follow us on Twitter at BBC In Our Time. |
| 0:12.0 | I hope you enjoyed the programs. |
| 0:14.0 | Hello, Hokusai born in 1760 was a major power in Japanese art, |
| 0:19.0 | creating extraordinary images at a time when Japan was largely closed off from global cultures. |
| 0:24.0 | The older he grew, the better he became. |
| 0:26.0 | He began his 70s with the great wave, now one of the best known graphic images in the world. |
| 0:31.0 | Always striving to improve, he reached new heights over the next two decades, |
| 0:35.0 | and his hope was to live to 110 when he thought he would become a true master. |
| 0:40.0 | When Japan opened up in the years after Hokusai's death in 1849, |
| 0:44.0 | his works were displayed in Paris. |
| 0:46.0 | They caused a sensation and inspired generations of artists from the impressionists down to today. |
| 0:52.0 | When we discuss the life and work of Hokusai, |
| 0:54.0 | our Angus Lockhew, lecturer in Japanese history at SOS, University of London, |
| 0:59.0 | Rosina Buckland, senior curator of Japanese collections at the National Museum of Scotland, |
| 1:04.0 | and Elis Tinius, on re-electro in the School of History at the University of Leeds. |
| 1:09.0 | Angus Lockhew, Hokusai was born in Ado, modern day Tokyo. |
| 1:14.0 | Can you tell us about the city and what his corner of it was like? |
| 1:17.0 | Indeed, he was born in 1760, as you mentioned. |
| 1:20.0 | It's the largest city in the world. |
... |
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