When it comes to Japanese art, we must first think of classic ukiyo-e works such as “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”, both of which are creations of the legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Ukiyo-e originated in the 17th century, initially considered by the government as indecent art, but later influencing the entire European art scene in the 19th century. Hokusai can be said to be an indispensable important figure in this development. The life and artistic journey of this Japanese art master was magnificent, and the film “Hokusai: The Legend of Ukiyo-e” will present his creative trajectory in a legendary way.
The film narrative starts from the perspective of the Edo period publisher, Tatsuya Shozo (played by Hiroshi Abe), and his novelist friend, Yanagitei Tanhiko (played by Eita), allowing the audience to glimpse Katsushika Hokusai’s creative journey spanning decades. The film meticulously examines his life story for the first time, presenting Hokusai’s lesser-known youthful achievements one by one. In the film, Hokusai is a rough and eccentric person who began studying painting with ukiyo-e artist Shunchō Katsukawa at the age of 18, started publishing works at 19, showcasing his exquisite painting skills in portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings, and gaining attention with his beauty paintings at the age of 35.
At that time, the government regarded ukiyo-e and other paintings as obscene works, banned related creations, and a good friend of Hokusai was also killed for violating the ban. In a mix of sorrow and anger, and an advocacy for the freedom of creation, Hokusai continued to create stunning masterpieces that amazed people, while humbly studying and improving his painting skills.
At the age of 70, he created the globally acclaimed “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”, using his exceptional painting skills to depict the scenery and customs of Japanese mountain villages, capturing the era of Japan at that time. This work made a splash at the Paris World Exposition, with its magnificent style captivating the world and sparking the trend of “Japonism”. Hokusai’s style even influenced the works of Western artists, with even the post-impressionist master Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” being influenced by the wave lines in his “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”.
Hokusai Katsushika opened up new horizons for Japanese ukiyo-e, and the film reveals for the first time his journey to becoming a legendary artist. The movie is divided into two stages: his youth and his later years. The young Hokusai is portrayed by the youngest Cannes Film Festival Best Actor winner, Yagira Yuya, while the accomplished older Hokusai is played by the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor winner, Tanaka Min. The film showcases how he painted the timeless “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” in his final days.
Two generations of talented actors join forces to portray the legendary life of an art master, along with Hiroshi Abe, Eita Nagayama, Hiroki Hasegawa, and other stars. “Hokusai: Legendary Ukiyo-e Artist” will be shown in Hong Kong for the first time starting in May. If you want to learn more about the secret history of this artistic master, feel free to come and watch the movie!
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