Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, painter, and printmaker, best known for his iconic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831). Active during the Edo period, Hokusai produced a vast body of work that included landscapes, nature studies, and scenes of everyday life. His most famous series, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, reflects his fascination with the mountain and showcases his innovative use of perspective and bold composition. Hokusai had a profound influence on both Japanese art and Western artists, particularly during the Japonisme movement in 19th-century Europe.