Widespread, Enduring Legacy Examined through Lens of Students, Rivals, Colleagues

Kansas City, MO - The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City presents a sweeping exhibition that details the enormous impact of Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1869) on the art world. His instantly recognizable Great Wave, one of the most iconic images in the history of art, catapulted him to the forefront as one of the most famous and influential artists of his time. Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston takes a new approach by focusing on his role as student, teacher, and influencer. The exhibition opens Sept. 21 and runs through Jan. 5, 2025.

“Hokusai has become one of the most famous Japanese artists in the world, and this fascinating exhibition explores the enduring legacy of his trailblazing mastery,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins.

The exhibition includes more than 300 objects, ranging from the Great Wave to volumes of Hokusai manga (sketches) to captivating floral images. It also highlights a whimsical Great Wave made entirely of LEGO™s. 

“Hokusai was an incredibly creative and versatile artist. This exhibition is a thought-provoking new presentation of how one artist's visual language can be taught, borrowed, or even transformed across cultures and eras,” said Yayoi Shinoda, Assistant Curator, Japanese Art. 

Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston compares Hokusai’s work with his own teachers as well as students who studied under him. It also includes the contemporary colleagues and rivals who incorporated his innovations into their own work, along with his legions of admirers in Japan and abroad who were inspired by Hokusai despite separation in time and space.

As steward to one of the world’s strongest Hokusai collections, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is uniquely positioned to organize an exhibition of this unprecedented scope, with most of the objects on view coming from that institution’s vast holdings. 

Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is accompanied by a scholarly catalogue that will be available for purchase in the museum store and online. 

Along with the featured exhibition, the Nelson-Atkins is expanding this presentation through three prominent collections in Hokusai: Masterpieces from the Spencer Museum of Art, Richardson-North Collection, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Presented in the Japanese art gallery, this free exhibition explores a culture of poetry, to which Hokusai belonged, and introduces landscape images featuring distinguished sites. With the two exhibitions featuring Hokusai at two locations in the museum, the Nelson-Atkins will present the largest number of works by Hokusai in its history. A series of programs associated with Hokusai: Waves of Inspiration from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will be offered from October to December.

The following programs are planned in conjunction with this exhibition: 

42nd Annual Atha Lecture

October 17, 2024, 6-7 pm
Atkins Auditorium
Public $15, Members $12

Sarah Thompson, Curator, Japanese Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in conversation with Yayoi Shinoda, Assistant Curator, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 

Night/Shift at the Nelson-Atkins

October 24, 2024, 5-9 p.m.
FREE, Registration required 

Kansas City’s creative community is remixing the museum experience with a free evening of creative encounters that spotlights local talent among the 5,000 years of artistic innovation in the museum’s collection. Headlined by DJs, visual artists, and live performers, each night features a fresh combination of pop-up projects, interactive demonstrations, artmaking, and unexpected ways of exploring the museum.

Book Discussion: The Printmaker's Daughter, by Katherine Govier (2011)

November 21, 2024, 6-7 pm

Location: Library Reading Room

Free, reservations required (Limit 50) 

Join Nelson-Atkins staff members Yayoi Shinoda, Assistant Curator of Japanese Art, Rachel Freeman, Conservator of Paper & Asian Art, and Stephanie Lawrence, library programs specialist, to discuss Katherine Govier’s novel. This free book discussion will introduce you to the little-known story of Hokusai’s artist daughter, Oei.

For the latest program information visit nelson-atkins.org.