Ukiyo-e history

by Lucy Dayman | ART

Katsushika Oi, is one of Japan’s most indirectly influential artists.

Also known as the daughter of the much more famous Hokusai, the artist behind the Great Wave, Oi’s talents are evident from the few remaining works we still have of hers. Shrouded in mystery and with plenty of unanswered questions, let’s take a closer look at Oi, who some believe may be the real figure behind some of Hokusai’s most celebrated works (you can see some of these iconic prints when you visit Tokyo, take a look at our article Where to See Hokusai) !

Early days: The Hokusai Family

Although the artistic legacy of Hokusai is very well known, the lineage of his family is less well understood. It is widely assumed by historians that Hokusai’s daughter Katsushika Oi was born around 1800.

Oi was born to Hokusai’s second wife, Koto, and had one brother and one sister, and one half brother and two