Hokusai’s Animals

  • Exhibition
  • Finished

Hokusai’s Animals

February 5, 2019(Tue.) - April 7, 2019(Sun.)
Animals have been one of the greatest inspirational resources for numerous artists around the world, Hokusai was certainly not an exception leaving various works of animals. A master of capturing the characteristics of his subjects, Hokusai depicted not only the attractiveness of animals but their distinctive realities. Some of animals represent quite delicate expressions particularly on the shape of their eyes.
This exhibition introduces the portrayals of animals by Hokusai and his pupils: the design for toys and tools in daily life, the illustration for myths and legends, and the embodiment of imaginative animals.
5 February （Tue）ー 7 April（Sun）2019
Every Monday
※Open:Mon Feb, 8 Closed: Tue 2 Feb
Sumida City, the Sumida Hokusai Museum


Section 1.
Animals, So Alive Hokusai painted creatures large and small throughout his career, striving to bring them to life with his brush. Here we present the vivid animals that Hokusai and his students depicted. As you explore them, please note the distinctive depictions of eyes found in Hokusai’s work.

Section 2.
Adorable Animals This section brings together particularly charming animal pictures by Hokusai and his students. Among them lurk creatures that may seem rather pesky but, upon inspection, are adorable indeed. Let Hokusai’s heartwarming animals bring you joy.

Section 3.
Animals Only in Paintings Hokusai did not confine himself to painting actual animals. He depicted animals turned into toys or textile designs. He also drew the animals that figured in familiar legends and tales, in which animal specters and monsters often appear. In his day, people believed in kappa (water sprites) and kamaitachi (slashing weasels), and Hokusai depicted them just as he did other animals. Here, then, please enjoy animals you will never see in a zoo, animals that exist only in paintings.




   University students　

　 65 and over　　 　 J.H.S.　　 　 Disabled peoples　　　
 　Individual　　  　1,000 yen　　  　          700 yen　　 　  700 yen 　 300 yen 　          300 yen
 　Group 　    800 yen                560 yen 　  560 yen 　 240 yen  　         240 yen

*Group admission applies to 20 and more paying adults.
*Students in elementary school and younger are admitted free of charge
(Please show your certificate at time of admission.)