Hokusai's Method

Last updated: 13 October 2026

What is in Hokusai's Method

Hokusai made about 300 printed books in his lifetime, and a large share of them were drawing manuals, known in Japanese as e-tehon, or drawing models. This book gathers fifteen of them. They show how he built a figure, an animal or a wave from simple shapes, and they are full of jokes.

Alongside the instruction pages are pictures made out of letters, which the publisher compares to early emoji, as well as designs for craftsmen and illustrated dance moves. The last volume is the manual he published just before his death in 1849. He wrote that it was meant to "preserve everything I've learned".

How to read it

The pages follow the Japanese order, so the book opens from what a British reader would call the back, and you turn the pages from left to right. It is worth telling the person you give it to. It is a small, chunky book, 21 x 14.8cm, about the size of a sheet of A5, and 896 pages thick.

Key facts

• Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Published: 23 January 2025
• Format: hardback with printed covers and no jacket, 896 pages, 822 illustrations
• Size: 21 x 14.8cm, the size of a sheet of A5
• ISBN: 9780500028773
• RRP: £35

Who it suits as a gift

It suits anyone who draws, from a student to an illustrator, because it shows a master's working method page by page. It is also a good present for a fan of Japanese art who already owns a print of The Great Wave and wants to see the rest of his work. And the jokes and dance steps make it fun to flick through for someone who does not draw at all.

The limits

It is a facsimile of working manuals, so it is a book for looking at and copying from rather than reading about Hokusai's life. Someone who wants a biography or a survey of his famous prints would be better off with a monograph. At 896 pages it is also thick and heavy for its size, and the back-to-front order takes a few minutes to get used to.

Where to buy it in the UK

Amazon UK had it at £25.85, in stock. Bookshop.org had it at £33.25, ready to despatch, and every order there supports independent bookshops. The publisher's details are on Thames & Hudson's page for the book.

Buy from AmazonBuy from Bookshop.org

FAQs

What is Hokusai's Method?

It is a single volume collecting fifteen of Hokusai's drawing manuals, with 822 illustrations made between 1812 and 1848.

How much does Hokusai's Method cost?

The RRP is £35. On 13 October 2026, Amazon UK had it at £25.85 and Bookshop.org at £33.25.

Why does it read back to front?

It follows the Japanese page order of the original books, so you start from what looks like the back.

More from CoolCuration

• A Dictionary of Colour Combinations Vol 2: Sanzo Wada's pocket book of Japanese palettes.
• Gifts for Japan lovers: more presents for anyone who loves Japan.
• Best book gifts UK: 21 books sorted by the kind of reader they suit.
• Gifts for artists: presents for people who paint, draw and make.

We are proud supporters of a safer more private internet via encouraging people to use Brave browser and are actively taking on Spammers as part of ProjectHoneypot. This site is hosted on servers that run on 100% renewable energy in the UK thanks to GreenWebHosting.

This site contains affiliate links, including to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service via these links, at no extra cost to you. All offers and promotions are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change or withdrawal by the businesses featured. We cannot guarantee their continued availability. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Reviews and opinions on CoolCuration reflect the personal experience of our writers at the time of publication. They are not professional endorsements and your experience may differ. Scores use our Cool Factor rating system and are given independently of any commercial relationship.

All content on CoolCuration is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations or an endorsement of any product or service. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer personalised financial guidance. You should always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.