🗺️ Hokusai Museum北斎館

Katsushika Hokusai was a master of ukiyo-e during Japan's Edo period, renowned worldwide for works such as "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji." After turning 80, this famous painter was invited by the wealthy merchant Takai Kōzan to stay multiple times in the Obuse area of Nagano Prefecture, where he created many extraordinary masterpieces. The Hokusai Museum showcases the vibrant and dynamic works created by Hokusai during this period. At the Hokusai Museum, visitors can admire original paintings, prints, editions, and letters by Hokusai. Among these, the hanging scrolls and folding screens are unique treasures. The displayed works possess stunning visual beauty and powerful artistic impact. One of the highlights of the Hokusai Museum is the ceiling painting that Hokusai personally created on a massive festival float. The floats are the Higashimachi Festival Float and the Kamimachi Festival Float. Each float features paintings of a dragon and a phoenix, as well as tumultuous waves representing male and female forms, with a passionate and spectacular style. The Hokusai Museum hosts several special exhibitions each year, showcasing works with different styles and meanings from various periods. Art enthusiasts often choose to visit multiple times throughout the seasons to appreciate more works and understand Hokusai's creative journey. In the museum's gift shop, visitors can purchase various merchandise featuring designs of the museum's collection, such as handkerchiefs, T-shirts, and postcards, making it a great place to buy travel souvenirs and gifts.

A museum showcasing the works of the Edo period ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. You can appreciate the powerful artistic influence of Master Hokusai's original paintings. The ceiling paintings of the two floats painted by Master Hokusai are definitely worth seeing.