Who created the first Manga?

You like to read, but you find reading novels tiresome. manga could be the solution for you. Apart from the hard work of the cartoonists, manga also plays an important role in language learning, as the drawings are expressive, if the words and terms used in the dialogues seem unfamiliar to you.

The manga could be a a source of inspiration for your childrenNot only in literature, but also in drawing. Discover the real technique for read manga in our other guide.

Together we will discover the history and artistic career of Katsushika Hokusai, the first creator of manga. In what field did he work to gain recognition, and where did he derive his great success? Finally, let's talk about the top three of his masterpieces that made him famous both abroad and in Japan, his native country.

Biography and artistic career of Katsushika Hokusai: the creator of manga

Biography of Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai, born around October 31, 1760, and died on May 10, 1849, was a painter and sculptor. Japanese artist famous for his work in the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints and paintings. Born to unknown parents, he was adopted by the craftsman in charge of making mirrors at the shogun's court at the age of 3 or 4. It was during this period that Hokusai began to take an interest in drawing and painting.

He was a Japanese painter, draftsman, and engraver in the 18th century, specializing in ukiyo-e, which is none other than a Japanese artistic movement from the Edo period (1603–1868), comprising not only original popular and narrative painting, but above all Japanese woodblock prints. He is also a popular writer.

His various works

There are 267 works of art in all. Among his works, it was the Great Wave off Kanagawa series, the Japanese ClearMorning print, and the erotic Dream of the Fisherman's Wife print that ensured his fame in Japan and abroad. His other important and certainly remarkable works have earned him widespread recognition and a reputation in Japan and abroad. great success through his series and several prints:

The Great Wave print off the coast of Kanagawa

The Great Wave off Kanagawa was discovered by Europe in the second half of the 19th century, influencing many painters and poets, including the famous French composer Claude Debussy, who drew inspiration from it. source of inspiration to compose the sea in its own right, through this print designed by Katsushika Hokusai.

The ClearMorning Japanese print

It is a famous Japanese print created by the Japanese artist Hokusai, a specialist in ukiyo-e, in 1832. It is known as the Fuji red which means cool wind on a clear Fuji red morning.

The erotic print of the dream of the fisherman's wife

The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife is the name generally given to a erotic print Untitled by Hokusai, which opened the collection Kinoe no Komatsu published in 1814. In Japan, it is known as The Ama and the Octopus is the name generally given to an untitled erotic print by Hokusai.

The birth of manga

The manga appeared in 1814It was during this period that Hokusai Katsushika produced a series of sketches of scenes of everyday life on stories derisory defining "manga" in Japanese.

In 1902The first publication of modern manga was by Kitazawa Rakuten, with typewritten text and four frames per page. By 1920, monthly magazines were publishing manga aimed first at boys (Shônen Club), girls (Shôjo Club) and then young adults (Yônen Club). But the Second World War interrupted the rise of the manga phenomenon. With a few changes to the image, and work on the blocks, success came immediately in 1947.

Katsushika Hokusai opened the door to Japanese art for the West. Is manga one of your favorite forms of entertainment? In any case, these works continue to surprise us. Discover the type of manga shojo to expand your library.