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Dream of the Fisherman's Wife (1814) by Katsushika Hokusai is among the most famous and thought-provoking works of Japanese ukiyo-e art. This woodblock print, which was made during the Edo period, is ...
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Features
“Dream of the Fisherman's Wife”
by Katsushika Hokusai
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Author
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Color
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Beige,
Black,
White,
Green,
Brown,
Yellow,
Pink,
Grey
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Tags
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Japanese Art,
Ukiyo-e,
Shunga,
Erotic Art,
Edo Period,
Traditional,
Sensual,
Intimate,
Marine Life,
Calligraphy
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| Main Features | |
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Alternate Titles
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Shunga Art Of The Edo Period
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Art Movement
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Shunga
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Historical Events
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Edo Period, Japanese Erotic Art
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| Visual and Stylistic Elements | |
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Brushwork/Texture
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Crisp And Defined
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Focal Point
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The Two Embracing Figures
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Light Source
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Flat Stylized Lighting
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Objects
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Woman , Octopus , Japanese Calligraphy , Rocks , Seaweed
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Orientation
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Horizontal
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Perspective
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Flat Composition, Minimal Depth
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| Original Masterpiece Features | |
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Condition/Restoration History
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Well-Preserved
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Creation Process
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Woodblock Print
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Inscriptions/Signatures
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Signed By Hokusai
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Patron/Commissioner
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Edo-Era Publishers
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Provenance
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British Museum, London
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| Influences and Related Works | |
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Influences
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Japanese Ukiyo-e, Erotic Art
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Related Works
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The Great Wave Off Kanagawa
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| Exhibition and Market Information | |
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Auction Price
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Criticism & Reception
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Considered A Masterpiece Of Erotic Art
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Cultural Significance
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Explores Sensuality And Japanese Art
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Current Owner
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Exhibition History
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British Museum, London
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Insurance Value
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Market Trends
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Public Domain Status
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Reproductions
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Various Museums And Private Collections
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Description
“Dream of the Fisherman's Wife”
by Katsushika Hokusai
Dream of the Fisherman's Wife (1814) by Katsushika Hokusai is among the most famous and thought-provoking works of Japanese ukiyo-e art. This woodblock print, which was made during the Edo period, is a member of Hokusai's collection of shunga (erotic art), a genre renowned for its creative and frequently daring portrayals of intimacy. The artwork weaves a bizarre and contentious tale of love, mythology, and nature by showing a woman in an embrace with two octopuses.
Despite its explicit content, Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife showcases Hokusai’s technical brilliance. The composition is intricate, with the curves of the octopuses and the woman’s body creating a visual rhythm that flows across the scene. The details, from the texture of the tentacles to the expression on the woman’s face, highlight Hokusai’s unparalleled skill. The backdrop of gently undulating waves adds a layer of serenity, contrasting the central theme’s intensity and grounding the artwork in nature.
This piece's association with Japanese legend is what makes it so intriguing. The octopus motif is derived from myths in which aquatic animals stand for metamorphosis and the secrets of the sea. It serves as a cultural relic that reflects Edo-period views on storytelling, art, and sexuality rather than just being an erotic piece. Hokusai went beyond convention by employing shunga as a tool to question social mores and spark ideas.
Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife continues to captivate audiences with its daring exploration of themes rarely addressed in art. It invites viewers to question the intersection of desire, myth, and creativity while showcasing Hokusai’s ability to blend the sensual with the fantastical.
Reviews
“Dream of the Fisherman's Wife”
by Katsushika Hokusai
Q/A
“Dream of the Fisherman's Wife”
by Katsushika Hokusai
Experts answer questions
Additional Information
“Dream of the Fisherman's Wife”
by Katsushika Hokusai
“Hokusai brought his genius even to forbidden subjects.” Richard Lane
“The image has haunted the Western imagination since its discovery.” Matthi Forrer
“In shunga, Hokusai showed another side of Japanese art.” Gian Carlo Calza
“The dream world and the natural world merge in Hokusai's vision.” Timothy Clark
“Even in erotica, Hokusai's skill is undeniable.” Siegfried Wichmann
#1. Shunga Art. This woodblock print belongs to the Japanese tradition of erotic art called shunga.
#2. Edo Period. Created around 1814, it comes from Japan's culturally rich Edo period.
#3. Western Influence. The image has fascinated Western artists from the Surrealists onward.
#4. Octopus Symbolism. The octopus had associations with dreams and the supernatural in Japanese culture.
#5. Ukiyo-e Master. Even erotic works showcase Hokusai's extraordinary technical skill.
