Hokusai’s life was very active. He moved ninety three times, travelled frequently, was married twice and had a few children. His life’s work consists of thirty thousand pictures, as well as illustrations to more than 500 books. He used more than thirty artistic names. He sometimes used one particular name for a year, two years, or even many years. His works are signed with various signatures.
It was Hokusai’s achievements that also gave the landscape in woodcuts the status of an independent genre. The originality of his works resulted from his use of perspective, his way of applying lines and the specific combination of colours used. The composition’s theme and components were invariably well thought-out.

Rikō Takahashi is an outstanding Japanese calligraphy artist operating in the Avant-garde style. Thanks to her exceptional creativity and freedom in expressing ideas, she makes works that go beyond common trends, though she does not cut herself off from the rich tradition of Japanese calligraphy. In general, she creates her works with black ink on white paper, as in the case of traditional calligraphy, but she also often uses coloured paints mixed with ink. Along with the austere, two-colour (black and white) aesthetics of calligraphies, it produces a remarkable effect.

The history of Japanese calligraphy dates back to about the 6^th century AD, when the Chinese system of writing was introduced to the islands. Although, at first, the Japanese used the Chinese language in writing, soon they started writing in their own language using the Chinese signs kanji (Jap.), sometimes modifying them. On the basis of the Chinese ideographs, various Japanese forms of syllabic writing evolved that enabled people to write in their own language.

Mount Fuji is a major symbol of Japan and is placed even on banknotes. It is a holy mountain, the place where, according to beliefs, the protective gods of the country live. An expedition to its peak is like an entrance to a heavenly land bathed in golden light through a thick layer of clouds.

Have you ever touched a beautiful object made of lacquer? Sensuality would be the best word to convey its smooth texture. The same word can be applied to the minimalist works of Aliska Lahusen, which evoke a sensual feeling. They have been created using lacquer — one of the most sophisticated Japanese materials. It was deliberately used by the artist and it gives her sculptures a mystical character.

Toshūsai Sharaku is one of the most enigmatic Japanese artists. The woodcuts signed with his name come from the period between May 1794 and January 1795. A total of about 150 Sharaku card images depict actors from the Kabuki theatre; these are projects with a completely different new form of expression, often close to a caricature.

What do a cobalt vase and a Japanese emperor have in common? This vase is a gift from the Japanese court donated to the Manggha Museum during the visit of the Japanese emperor, Akihito, and his wife, Michiko, on 11 July 2002. This porcelain vase with a wooden base is ornamented with the imperial chrysanthemum – an emblem representing the imperial title in Japan.

On 10 November 1987, Andrzej Wajda received the Kyoto Prize for his lifetime achievements in the field of the arts. During a few days spent in Kyoto, the former capital city of Japan, he sketched more than a dozen drawings depicting the places he had visited. They included two views of Kinkakuji (Jap. “Golden Pavillon”), one of the most exquisite places of the city. The name of the building is derived from the decoration of the walls which are covered with petals of gold.

In Japan, carps are a symbol identified with boys, who wish to become as strong and persistent as those fish. Each year, during Japanese Children's Day, which formerly was solely Boys' Day, parents hang kites on flagpoles located near their houses resembling wind socks that indicate the strength and direction of the wind. They are in the shape of carps, and the colour of each carp is related to the person it symbolises: the black carp is for the father, the red one — for mother, other colours are for children. According to old beliefs, flags are hung high in order to attract the attention of protective gods that are high in the sky.

The process of producing vessels of white porcelain is regarded as being exceptionally difficult, since, as it is baked in a furnace, small particles can easily permeate inside, and they can dye the porcelain forms, thus disrupting the whole process. One of the most outstanding contemporary hakuji artist is Manji Inoue (born 1929), the Japanese creator who was awarded, in 1995, with the honourable title of “The Living National Treasure” (Ningen Kokuhō).