hokusai: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “hokusai” mean?
A specific Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), famous for ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), famous for ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings.
By extension, can refer to the artistic style or works of Hokusai, especially his iconic print 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'. Sometimes used metonymically to represent Japanese art of the Edo period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is identical across both varieties, confined to art history and cultural contexts.
Connotations
In both cultures, evokes high art, Japanese cultural heritage, and a specific historical period. No negative or slang connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties. Appears almost exclusively in art history, museum, and academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hokusai” in a Sentence
[Subject] is reminiscent of Hokusai.[Subject] was influenced by Hokusai.The exhibition features [object] by Hokusai.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hokusai” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Hokusai-esque curves of the sculpture were striking.
- She has a Hokusai print in her lounge.
American English
- The design showed a Hokusai-like attention to wave detail.
- It was a Hokusai exhibition at the museum.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in marketing for art auctions, luxury brands using art themes, or cultural tourism.
Academic
Primary context. Used in art history, Asian studies, and cultural criticism papers and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be mentioned in conversation about museum visits or famous art.
Technical
Used in museology, conservation, and art authentication contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hokusai”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hokusai”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hokusai”
- Pronouncing it /ˈhɒkəsaɪ/ (HOCK-uh-sigh).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a hokusai' meaning any Japanese print).
- Misspelling as 'Hokussi' or 'Hokasai'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an art name (gō). 'Hokusai' itself roughly translates to 'North Studio', reflecting one of his many studio names.
In informal artistic contexts, it can be used metonymically to mean 'a work by Hokusai' (e.g., 'The gallery owns three Hokusais'). In formal writing, it's better to say 'a work by Hokusai' or 'a Hokusai print'.
In English, it is commonly /ˌhoʊkʊˈsaɪ/ (hoh-kuu-SIGH) in American English and /ˌhəʊkʊˈsaɪ/ (hoh-kuu-SIGH) in British English, with equal stress on the first and last syllables.
It is complicated. Katsushika is a place name used like a surname. Hokusai is one of his many professional art names, not a personal surname in the Western sense. He is correctly referred to simply as 'Hokusai'.
A specific Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), famous for ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings.
Hokusai is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a proper name.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HO-KU-SAI: Hold On, KU (as in 'culture'), SAI (as in 'sigh' of awe at the beautiful art).
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTIST IS HIS WORK (e.g., 'The room was full of Hokusai' meaning full of his prints). JAPANESE ART IS A WAVE (stemming from his most famous image).
Practice
Quiz
What is Hokusai best known for?