Resource

Exploring Hokusai

Subject: Other Topics / Art & Design

Level: Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 2

Age: 11-15 years / 7-11 years

Resource Type: Activities / Presentations / Lesson Plans / Worksheets

Katsushika Hokusai (1760 - 1849) is an iconic Japanese artist from the Edo Period. He is known around the world for his ukiyo-e paintings, with The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (1831) being perhaps his most famous. His work is influential and provides a source of inspiration for many contemporary artists today.

In this lesson, pupils will examine some of Hokusai's work closely and learn more about the woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, which literally translates to "pictures of the floating world" in English. These woodblock prints particularly flourished in the Edo Period, and often illustrated aspects of what everyday life was like for people at the time. The main activity of this lesson will give pupils the chance to produce their own prints inspired by Hokusai, using polystyrene sheets instead of wood.

Download all lesson resources (Zip File 34.7 MB), or see below for the individual resources.

Please note that the PowerPoint Presentation is in Read-Only format, which will allow you to present the slideshow but not edit. For teachers who need editable version of any of the presentations for their classroom teaching, please contact us at education@japansociety.org.uk.

Learning Objectives

To explore the art of Katsushika Hokusai
To create an artwork inspired by Hokusai and woodblock printing techniques

Key Stage: upper KS2 - lower KS3

Lesson Duration: 1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes

Resources

This lesson has been designed as part of a wider unit of lessons called The Japan Project.
>> Click here to view all The Japan Project lessons.