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Okitsu

Hokusai Explore Katsushika Hokusai's haunting depiction of death and decay – ‘Okitsu,’ a striking black and white print capturing a solitary fish on the ocean floor, embodying the artist’s masterful observation.

Ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai created the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa. Explore his legendary woodblock prints and paintings today.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. ( Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)

Corner sample of the P118B picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P118B $10
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Corner sample of the P118W picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P438Z picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5.5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P508JH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P508JH $12
Corner sample of the P508YH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
P508YH $12
Corner sample of the P805H picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P805Z picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P919BZ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P919G picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P919XJ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 7 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P959ZH picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P968JZ picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 6 cm wide and 4 cm thick
P968JZ $12
Corner sample of the W106C picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W106C $8
Corner sample of the W218G picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218G $10
Corner sample of the W218JH picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218JH $8
Corner sample of the W218Y picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218Y $10
Corner sample of the W307PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W307PJ $10
Corner sample of the W316G picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316G $10
Corner sample of the W316PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316PJ $8
Corner sample of the W316Y picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316Y $10
Corner sample of the W398PJ picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W398PJ $8
Corner sample of the W4111J picture frame: solid wood, 6.5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
W4111J $10
Corner sample of the W500HY picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500HY $15
Corner sample of the W500JH picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500JH $15
Corner sample of the W692G picture frame: solid wood, 8 cm wide and 4 cm thick
W692G $12
Corner sample of the W849H picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W849H $8
Corner sample of the W940BG picture frame: solid wood, 7.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm thick
W940BG $15
Corner sample of the W953PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
W953PJ $8

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Total Price

$ 63

Okitsu

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 63

Quick Facts

  • Notable elements or techniques: Dynamic composition; Wave motif
  • Title: Okitsu
  • Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
  • Subject or theme: Marine landscape; Death symbolism
  • Artistic style: Romanticism

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What is the primary subject of Katsushika Hokusai’s painting *Okitsu*?
Question 2:
The painting *Okitsu* is executed in what artistic medium?
Question 3:
What stylistic characteristic contributes to the painting’s somber mood?
Question 4:
Which artistic movement is Katsushika Hokusai most famously associated with?
Question 5:
What does the depiction of the fish’s internal organs convey about the artist's intention?

A Silent Testament to Mortality: Exploring Katsushika Hokusai’s *Okitsu*

The painting, tentatively titled *Okitsu*, presents a stark and unsettling tableau—a solitary fish sprawled upon the seabed, its exposed viscera illuminated by an unseen light. While seemingly simple in composition, this monochrome depiction encapsulates profound themes of decay, vulnerability, and the inevitable passage of time, firmly anchoring itself within the artistic landscape of Edo-period Japan. Its creator, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), a titan amongst printmakers and arguably Japan’s most celebrated artist, transcends mere representation; he crafts an experience for the viewer that lingers long after initial observation.
  • Subject Matter & Composition: The focal point is undeniably the fish itself—a creature rendered with meticulous detail despite its lifeless state. Its positioning on its side emphasizes its vulnerability and underscores the artist’s deliberate choice to confront mortality head-on. Surrounding it are scattered fish, subtly hinting at a broader ecosystem grappling with similar forces of decline.
  • Style & Technique: Hokusai's signature style—characterized by bold outlines and expressive brushstrokes—is evident throughout *Okitsu*. The artist employs a masterful use of black ink on paper, utilizing varying densities to create tonal gradations that convey texture and depth. This technique is particularly adept at capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow, enhancing the painting’s dramatic impact.
The artwork's historical context speaks volumes about Japan during Hokusai’s lifetime—the Edo Period (1689–1868) was a time of considerable social and economic stability, yet beneath the veneer of prosperity lurked anxieties concerning natural disasters and the fragility of existence. The depiction of the fish resonates powerfully with Buddhist concepts of impermanence (*mujō*) – the understanding that all things are transient and destined for decay. This philosophical underpinning elevates *Okitsu* beyond a mere visual observation; it invites contemplation on the cyclical nature of life and death. Symbolism: Beyond its immediate depiction, *Okitsu* operates on multiple symbolic levels. The fish itself can represent spiritual purity or innocence—a creature vulnerable to corruption yet retaining an inherent beauty. Its exposed organs serve as a visceral reminder of mortality, prompting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the human condition. Furthermore, the monochrome palette reinforces the painting’s solemn mood and symbolizes asceticism – a deliberate rejection of worldly pleasures in favor of spiritual enlightenment.
  • Emotional Impact: *Okitsu* evokes a palpable sense of melancholy and contemplation. The artist's unflinching portrayal of death compels viewers to confront their own mortality, fostering introspection and prompting reflection on the beauty inherent in accepting the inevitable end. It’s a piece that transcends time, offering solace and inspiration to those who appreciate its profound artistic merit.
Ultimately, *Okitsu* stands as a testament to Hokusai's unparalleled ability to distill complex philosophical ideas into visually arresting imagery. Its enduring appeal lies in its capacity to provoke emotion and stimulate intellectual curiosity—a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences centuries after its creation. Reproductions of this artwork offer an opportunity to experience the artist’s vision firsthand, bringing a touch of Edo-period contemplation into any interior space.

Questions & Answers

Is "Okitsu" by Katsushika Hokusai a portrait, landscape or square composition?

The format of "Okitsu" is landscape. This is useful when planning where a reproduction will be placed.

What mood and emotion does "Okitsu" by Katsushika Hokusai express?

"Okitsu" by Katsushika Hokusai conveys a melancholic feeling within an overall dramatic mood.

What emotion does "Okitsu" by Katsushika Hokusai convey?

"Okitsu" by Katsushika Hokusai conveys a melancholic emotional tone.


Artist Biography

The Restless Pursuit of the Floating World

In the bustling streets of Edo, the son of a mirror maker begins to draw. By the age of six, the boy is already sketching, driven by a hunger that his father, Nakajima Ise, recognizes but cannot fully direct. This is not a life of comfort. It is a steady, gritty climb through the social strata of the Tokugawa shogunate. By twelve, he enters the studio of Katsukawa Shunshō, learning the demanding precision of ukiyo-e woodblock printing. He is not there to mimic his master. Instead, he absorbs the techniques of the "floating world"—the depictions of actors and courtesans—and begins to pull at the threads of the genre, seeking something more expansive.

His career is a series of reinventions. He changes his name over thirty times, a practice that marks his shifting affiliations and his refusal to remain static. He moves from illustrating books to the creation of single-sheet prints, a transition that allows his vision to expand. He is a man of constant movement, a restless spirit who views art as a lifelong evolution rather than a destination.

The Geometry of Nature

The focus shifts. The urban scenes of Edo give way to the immense scale of the natural landscape. Around 1831, the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji emerges, fundamentally altering the scope of Japanese printmaking. In The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the ocean is a towering, claw-like force, a study in tension and perspective that captures the terrifying power of the sea against the fragility of human vessels. This is not merely a landscape; it is a confrontation with the sublime. He uses Prussian blue, a pigment imported from Europe, to lend a new depth to the water and the sky, creating a visual language that feels both ancient and startlingly modern.

His observations extend beyond the grand to the minute. The Hokusai Manga collections reveal a mind obsessed with the mechanics of life. He sketches everything: the curve of an animal's spine, the frantic movement of a crowd, the strange anatomy of mythical creatures. His line is bold and decisive. He captures the ephemeral—the spray of a wave, the sudden movement of a traveler—with a precision that bridges the gap between the seen and the felt.

A Global Resonance

As Japan opens its borders in the late 19th century, his influence travels across the oceans. The phenomenon of Japonisme takes hold in Europe. His compositions, characterized by unconventional perspectives and flattened planes, reach the eyes of Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh. They see in his work a way to break from traditional Western realism. The impact is profound. His ability to find meaning in the everyday and the monumental alike leaves a permanent mark on the trajectory of modern art.

He remains a student until the end. Even in his eighties, he refers to himself as Gakyō Rōjin, the "Old Man Crazy to Paint." He dies in 1849, leaving behind a vast body of work that spans nearly nine decades of constant experimentation. He did not just document the world; he reconfigured how the world is seen.

Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai

1760 - 1849 , Japan

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Ukiyo-e
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
    • Claude Monet
    • Edgar Degas
    • Vincent van Gogh
    • Japonisme
  • Full Name: Katsushika Hokusai
  • Nationality: Japanese
  • Notable Artworks:
    • The Great Wave off Kanagawa
    • Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
  • Place Of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
  • Date Of Birth: 1760
  • Date Of Death: 1849
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