A collection of patterns designed by Hokusai
transformed into colorful woodcut prints by Kiyoshi Awazu

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), the genius ukiyo-e artist of the Edo Period, was also a brilliant designer. After his death, patterns for kimono drawn by Hokusai were compiled into a book entitled "Hokusai Moyo Gafu (Hokusai Design Sketchbook)." It was published in the Meiji Period and loved by people for many years.

In 1986, woodblocks used to print "Hokusai Moyo Gafu" were discovered in storage at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. When the old woodblocks were returned to Japan, new prints were made from the woodblocks by artisans at the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints who have mastered traditional woodcut printing techniques, and the new prints were unveiled to the public.

In this way, "Hokusai Patterns" came into the limelight nearly 150 years after its first publication. Inspired by Hokusai's masterly designs, the designer Kiyoshi Awazu came together with artisans at the Adachi Institute to create new "ukiyo-e." Mr. Awazu recomposed Hokusai's black-and-white patterns and created a series of brightly colored woodcut prints.

The two ingenious designers Katsushika Hokusai and Kiyoshi Awazu have transcended the centuries to come together and bring you the series of nine prints, "Hokusai Patterns/ Awazu Colors."