Japanese Art Books | Hakugado Publishing

Discover Choju-giga and Hokusai’s Mt. Fuji

Hakugado Publishing introduces masterpieces of Japanese art through books that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Our “Story of Masterpieces” series presents famous artists and artworks in an easy-to-understand way, combining beautiful images with engaging stories. Through these books, readers can discover Japanese culture, ukiyo-e, and some of Japan’s most celebrated works of art.

Choju-giga: Japan’s Famous Animal Scroll

One of the most fascinating works of Japanese art is Choju-giga, a famous set of picture scrolls often described as the origin of manga. Created around 900 years ago and preserved in a temple in Kyoto, these lively drawings of animals behaving like humans still feel surprisingly modern today. With no written text, viewers have long imagined their own stories. By looking at the animals’ lively gestures and expressions, we can reflect on the daily lives of people in medieval Japan.

Learn more about Choju-giga in English and Japanese

Large-format book (extended B4 size), 36 pages
Price (before tax): ¥2,000

Hokusai’s Mt. Fuji: Japan’s Sacred Mountain in Ukiyo-e

Another highlight is the work of Katsushika Hokusai, one of the most famous ukiyo-e artists in the world. His iconic series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” including the famous “Great Wave,” has influenced artists around the globe. In this book, you can explore his masterpieces depicting Japan’s tallest and most sacred mountain while also gaining insights into the daily lives of people and culture in the Edo period.