Hokusai - The Great Picture Book of Everything

During 2020 the British Museum acquired 103 drawings by the Japanese artist Hokusai, entitled The Great Picture Book of Everything. These are now on display at the museum. 

The drawings were created during the time that Japan was in virtual lockdown. From 1639 to 1859 the government forbid people to travel abroad. Contacts with the outside world were limited and strictly regulated. Journeys within the country required an official permit.

The drawings collected here were intended to be published in a book, a project that never went ahead, with much disappointment at the time. However, thanks to foresight they were individually mounted onto cards and wrapped in Chinese brocade covers and stored in a custom made wooden box, perfectly preserved!

You can view all the works here on the British Museum Collection Online or visit in person for the more intimate experience. 

On until January 30th 2022