Shunro and Sori Period

In 1778, at the age of 19, Hokusai apprenticed under Katsukawa Shunshō, the foremost portrait artist of actors. The following year, he adopted the name Katsukawa Shunrō. From his master Shunshō’s name, he took the character "春" (spring), and from his master's alternate name Kyokurōsei, he received the character "朗" (brightness). This indicates the high expectations placed on him as a promising artist. Initially, Hokusai focused on actor portraits and beautiful women, adhering closely to the Katsukawa school’s style. However, over time, he gradually developed a more free-flowing and distinctive artistic style of his own. After the death of his master, Katsukawa Shunsho, Hokusai left the Katsukawa school. Around 1794, he took on the name "Tawaraya Sori," influenced by the Rinpa school, and began producing elegant surimono (privately commissioned prints), illustrations for kyoka books (books of humorous poems), and hand-painted bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). In 1798, Hokusai changed his name to "Hokusai Tokimasa" and embarked on a new path as an independent artist. However, he continued to work in the Sori style. Around 1801, Hokusai resumed the production of ukiyo-e and depicted numerous Western-style landscape paintings utilizing Western perspective techniques.