Iitsu and Gakyo Rojin Manji Period

In 1820, at the age of 61, Hokusai adopted the artist name "Iitsu." During a brief period from his late 60s to early 70s, Hokusai immersed himself in the creation of ukiyo-e, producing many of the works that define his artistic career. These include the iconic "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," "A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces," "Famous Bridges in Various Provinces," and "One Hundred Ghost Stories." Hokusai's interests extended beyond landscapes to encompass flowers and birds, architecture, historical and classical figures, and more, aiming to depict the entirety of the natural and cultural world. In 1834, Hokusai, who had created numerous masterpieces featuring Mount Fuji, used the artist name "Gakyō Rōjin Manji" (The Old Man Mad about Drawing) for the first time in his illustrated book "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," which serves as the culmination of his works on Mount Fuji. At the end of the book, he expressed his desire for further improvement in his artistic skills. In his final years, Hokusai's subjects expanded beyond the confines of ukiyo-e as genre prints to include increasing depictions of natural elements, as well as religious motifs. He aspired to refine his artistic techniques until his last moments, relentlessly pursuing the path of a true artist throughout his life.