{"product_id":"lives-of-courtesans-at-itako-katsushika-hokusai","title":"Lives of Courtesans at Itako - Katsushika Hokusai","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 1802 woodblock print cover by Katsushika Hokusai, featuring elegant Japanese calligraphy and a minimalist design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis print represents the cover of the 'Itako zekku', or 'Lives of Courtesans at Itako', a notable work by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Published in 1802, this piece demonstrates the artist's early mastery of book design and typography within the Ukiyo-e tradition. The composition is restrained, focusing on the vertical orientation of the title in bold, black ink characters against a textured, light-brown paper background. The title, 'Itako zekku', refers to the region of Itako, a location often associated with the floating world culture of the Edo period.\n\nThe design reflects the aesthetic preferences of the time, where the physical presentation of a book was as important as its contents. The vertical label, or 'daisen', is positioned to the left, providing a clear visual anchor. The inclusion of the artist's signature, 'Hokusai ga' (drawn by Hokusai), confirms his involvement in the production. The subtle, linear texture of the paper provides a tactile quality, suggesting the use of high-quality washi paper common in period publications. This work is a fine example of the intersection between literature and visual art in 19th-century Japan.\n\nUnlike the more famous, colourful landscape prints of his later career, this piece highlights Hokusai's skill in graphic layout and the use of negative space. The simplicity of the design allows the viewer to appreciate the balance between the calligraphic brushwork and the surrounding field. It serves as a reminder of the artist's versatility, moving beyond the popular imagery of the time to engage with the structural elements of book arts. This print is suitable for those who appreciate the minimalist beauty of historical Japanese graphic design and the technical precision of woodblock printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/impression-sunrise-claude-monet-1\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eImpression, Sunrise - Claude Monet — Claude Monet\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/william-merritt-chase-john-singer-sargent\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eWilliam Merritt Chase - John Singer Sargent — John Singer Sargent\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Katsushika Hokusai","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58113284407631,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58113284505935,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58113284538703,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58113284571471,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58113284604239,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Lives-of-Courtesans-at-Itako_Poster_CompositorV1_1782959885737.jpg?v=1782960023","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/lives-of-courtesans-at-itako-katsushika-hokusai","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}