British Museum hosts Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave exhibition from 25th May 2017

Sure, we're all anime fans here, but we can also appreciate some of the finer points of Japanese culture and art too - indeed, the two sometimes come crashing together, as in the case of recent film Miss Hokusai.

Speaking of which, it's world-famous Japanese artists Hokusai that brings us to this news post, as the British Museum in London will this year be running an exhibition under the title of Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave, providing an opportunity to see this artist's work in the UK above and beyond that infamous painting, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

The exhibit runs from the 25th May to the 13th August 27th, with the exhibition closing for a few days between then 3rd and 6th of July to rotate the works on display. Here's some more on what you can expect to see there:

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is widely regarded as Japan’s most famous and influential artist. He produced works of astonishing quality right up until his death at the age of 90. This new exhibition will lead you on an artistic journey through the last 30 years of Hokusai’s life – a time when he produced some of his most famous masterpieces.

Throughout the exhibition, outstanding examples of Hokusai’s work will show the artist’s creative breadth and depth. A selection of superb landscapes is introduced with the iconic Great Wave – itself part of a print series of views of Mt Fuji. Intimate domestic scenes capture fleeting moments in private lives. Exquisite depictions of flora and fauna display an innate skill in representing the natural world. The artist’s imagination is given full rein in the portrayal of supernatural creatures such as ghosts and deities. Through all of these works, explore Hokusai’s personal beliefs and gain a fascinating insight into the artist’s spiritual and artistic quest in his later years.

The exhibition will include prints, paintings and illustrated books, many of which are on loan from Japan, Europe and the USA. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these extraordinary works together.

Members of the British Museum and under 16s can visit the exhibit for free, with adult tickets for non-members costing £12 per person.

For all of the details, head over to the British Museum web site.