Katsushika Hokusai: A Master of the Floating World Born Tokitarō in 1760, Katsushika Hokusai remains one of Japan’s most beloved and profoundly influential artists. More than just a woodblock printmaker, he was a restless innovator, a keen observer of his time, and a master who seamlessly blended traditional Japanese aesthetics with burgeoning European influences. His life spanned nearly nine decades, a period marked by immense artistic growth and experimentation, culminating in iconic works like *The Great Wave off Kanagawa* that continue to resonate globally. Hokusai’s legacy extends far b…