Hokusai and the Great Wave | A Global Ripple Effect

Hokusai’s Great Wave is one of the most iconic images in art history, as instantly recognizable as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Many audiences today, however, don’t know much about the man who made it: a visionary artist of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, but also an innovative educator and a pioneering influence on the development of manga and animation. This April, join us for a special deep dive into the life and legacy of Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1850), and the extraordinary chain of inspiration his vision set in motion.

Co-hosted by The Art Academy of Japan’s International Hokusai Academy and led by guest experts visiting directly from Japan, this program brings Hokusai’s story vividly to life. Guided by Hokusai experts and multi-hyphenate creatives Yoshihisa Endo (Fuji Hisashi), a filmmaker and art producer, and Hiromi Yasui, a stage director and cultural producer, the morning opens with a keynote lecture—“Hokusai and the Art that Moved the World”—tracing how one artist’s bold vision traveled from Edo-period Japan to reshape global art.

Through colorful presentations, audiences will discover a lesser-known side of Hokusai: his pioneering role as an educator and a forefather of manga. His celebrated Hokusai Manga is a sprawling 15-volume visual encyclopedia of sketches covering everything from human movement and martial arts to animals, plants, and daily life. It was designed as a teaching tool to help aspiring artists learn to see and draw the world around them, and is widely regarded as a foundational source of modern manga and animation. When these volumes traveled to Europe, they ignited the cultural phenomenon known as Japonisme, inspiring artists from Monet to Van Gogh.

The presentations will be followed by an open Q&A, and every guest will take home a complimentary copy of KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI – 36 Views of Mt. Fuji as Seen in the Passport (The Art Academy of Japan; $15 value) as a keepsake to continue exploring Hokusai’s world. Whether you're a manga fan, design enthusiast, or looking to inspire the young artists in your family, join us to discover the man behind the wave.

Yoshihisa Endo was born in Tokyo, and after graduating from the French Literature Department at Chuo University, he founded a prominent video production company. As a leading figure in the Japanese art world, he collaborated with the late Seiki Maekawa and a team of 20 professors across several disciplines to publish the world’s first comprehensive museum series, “Museums of the World” (20 volumes). Under the name Fuji Hisashi, he has worked widely as a scriptwriter and producer for television programs and other video productions, and as an author. He remains active through art-related TV programs, publications, and lectures. He currently shares the appeal of Hokusai worldwide and is planning the global exhibition project “Hokusai the Educator”.

Hiromi Yasui spent 18 years with the Bungakuza Theatre Company (one of Japan’s leading theatre companies), studying under actress Haruko Sugimura and working as an actress. After leaving the company, she expanded her activities to include stage writing, directing, and producing, as well as acting coaching and costume planning for film and theatre. She is also a researcher and collector of kimono culture and provided acting direction for NHK’s historical drama “Hojo Tokimune”. She founded the NPO WOMEN’S and has produced numerous events, workshops, and stage performances, including musical workshops and performances for children.

Currently, through The Art Academy of Japan and the International Hokusai Academy, she communicates the appeal of art to a wide audience through international symposiums and art lectures on Katsushika Hokusai and Oi, ukiyo-e (including bijinga), shunga, and kimono culture. She also plans and produces Hokusai art exhibitions and picture books, and creates and directs stories, novels, and plays. She is actively engaged in sharing kimono culture globally, working on kimono dressing and fashion shows, and promoting traditional accessories and Japanese small goods. She also develops and preserves everyday kimono styles and original recycled-design kimono.

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