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In pictures: British Museum to show 103 ‘forgotten’ Hokusai drawings

Available to view for the first time in more than seven decades

Hokusai, Cats and hibiscus, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

Last year, the British Museum in London acquired 103 drawings by the Japanese master painter and printmake Katsushika Hokusai. Now they are to go on public display.

Hokusai, Virudhaka, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

The artworks were uncovered in 2019, and had not been seen in more than 70 years.

Hokusai, Fumei Chōja and the nine tailed spirit fox, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

The drawings were originally created in 1829, for the unpublished Great Picture Book of Everything.

Hokusai, Yi Di (Giteki) orders the people to use rice juice to brew wine, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

The works were previously held in a French private collection, before appearing in 2019 at Paris’s Piasa auction house – they were purchased by the British Museum through a UK Art Fund grant.

Hokusai, Devadatta (Daibadatta), appearance of evil spirits with supernatural arts, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

The drawings which detail scenes across history, mythology and the natural world can also be viewed online.

Hokusai, from Great Picture Book of Everything, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

Researcher Tim Clark said last year: ‘All 103 pieces are treated with the customary fantasy, invention and brush skill found in Hokusai’s late works and it is wonderful that they can finally be enjoyed by the many lovers of his art worldwide.’

Hokusai, from Great Picture Book of Everything, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

‘These works are a major new re-discovery, expanding considerably our knowledge of the artist’s activities at a key period in his life and work.’

Hokusai, from Great Picture Book of Everything, 1829. Courtesy the British Museum

The postcard-sized pieces will be available to view on display in September this year.

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