Customer Reviews

Hokusai, First Manga Master

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Hokusai Manga is Katsushika Hokusai's 15 volume encyclopedia of casual drawings (man-ga) or loose sketches. The last two volumes were published posthumously.

Rather than write an essay of why I think this is an excellent book, I'd like to just list some of the reasons:

- Inside the US this is the only text (available in retail book stores) that devotes itself to Hokusai's Manga which is a shame because it is such a masterwork. Novelist James A. Michener wrote a book entitled "The Hokusai Sketchbooks" in 1958 but it is not in print anymore.

- Both authors do a good job explaining the historical details of the Manga and Hokusai's possible inspiration. It would be nice to see more of Hokusai's own views but I understand they must difficult to come by.

- The book consists of two introductory chapters by the authors and four chapters of selections from the Manga.

- The sketches dominate the text which is the way it should be. The art can speak for itself.

- I like the heavy paper the book is printed on and you definitely have the feeling you are holding a quality book. The weight of the paper also makes the drawings seem more like real prints.

- The print quality of the art is excellent and you get the feeling they are sincere facsimiles of the originals in color and in texture.

- The smaller size of the book is also very nice. I travel quite a bit and to lug around huge hardback tomes takes its toll on you.

- Given my admiration for the paper, I'd still trade it for bible type paper to see more the sketches. They are marvelous.

- I think you need to allow yourself to settle in and relax a bit whilst reading this as the subtleties of the drawings will tell you many stories.

There are modern versions of the manga still being published in Japan but as far I can tell they are not sold in the US (Midwest).

First off, Jocelyn Bouquillard and Christophe Marquet have assembled a truly beautiful book with, "Hokusai: First Manga Master." Although a softcover book, the paper stock has a wonderful hue and texture to it reminiscent of parchment scroll. This book is also 10% text and 90% artwork that has been loving reproduced and printed and at times combined with the feel of the quality paper stock feels almost like thumbing through actual wood block prints over a 100 hundred years old. Lastly, let's not forget the wonderful Hokusai illustrations themselves. This book is a semi, greatest hits compilation pulled from Hokusai's 15 volume 'Manga' series which served as an encyclopedic compendium of over 4000 illustrations covering a variety of categories. Factor in Amazon's usual discounted book pricing and you have one of the best book bargains around. Highly recommended.

I knew Hokusai through his brilliant 100 Views of Mount Fuji, and had always held him in the highest esteem as a graphic artist. After reviewing this amazing book, about which I had no previous knowledge, I felt I had a completely new perspective on this powerfully creative and imaginative artist. He needed his manga, his creative output needed a free frontier to move in, beyond his orbits around Mount Fuji. And this is a wild outpouring of ideas unrestrained by narrative. Most are study sheets, little sketches of figures-- animals, structures, clouds, mountains, all composed with perfect grace. The quality of the work is so high, it reminds me of the sketchbooks of Leonardo. This is 'man in the midst of his own chaos', manga at its most supreme. Why not look at the very best? And, publishers, why not honor the man with a more durable book? The book falls apart. This is a book that would reward daily study, but unfortunately, not survive it.

I recommend this book to any artist/student looking for a masters work to study and learn from. Hokusai's work is diverse and spectacular. I bought the book to study his printmaking as I am now in a printmaking class and desired perspective on woodblock printing. His work has inspired me to no end!

This is a terrific collection of some of the best of Hokusai's manga from his prodigious production. Nicely produced, the book contains brief introductions to each section, which are divided by subject matter. I only wish some enterprising publisher would publish the entire 15 or so volumes in an English edition.