Synopsis

He is arguably Japan’s most influential artist, but how much is known about the life of Katsushika Hokusai? Directed by Hashimoto Hajime, this insightful biopic depicts the frantic life of the legendary Japanese ukiyo-e artist, in all its glory and setbacks. The story takes place during the final decades of the Edo period, when many facets of popular culture were suppressed by the shogunate and labeled as ‘morally corrupt’. A young and immature Hokusai (Yagira Yuya) can barely make ends meet with his art, until famous publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo (Abe Hiroshi) discovers his talent. He helps Hokusai find his unique style and originality, but not without pitting him against ukiyo-e talents such as Utamaro and Sharaku! After a tragic loss in his later years, an artistically mature Hokusai (Tanaka Min) revisits his view of art as a political act against the system.