Oceanic Ode. Big blues. Wild Whites. Stormy Seas. Make a splash with Hokusai’s The Great Wave metallic tote bag. © bpk-RMN Grand Palais-Richard Lambert. Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist, ukiyo-e painter and printmaker. Born in Tokyo, Hokusai is best known as author of the woodblock print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Hokusai's work has become synonymous with and celebrates the beauty of Japan and its rich history. Epic paintings. Divine drawings. Wondrous woodblock prints. Born around 1760, Katsushika Hokusai continues to inspire and influence artists around the world.