Description
Miss Hokusai Vol. 2
Book Summary
This second volume of Miss Hokusai immerses the reader in the vibrant and bustling Edo of the 19th century, through the eyes of Oei, the talented and independent daughter of the renowned artist Hokusai. While her father, an eccentric genius over fifty, creates masterpieces, Oei works in the shadows, anonymously executing many of the commissions that bear her father's signature. Through exquisite visual narrative, the work explores the complex relationship between father and daughter, the role of women in art, and the daily life of a fascinating city. An intimate and revealing look at one of the most creative periods in Japanese history.
What is it about?
In the heart of Edo-period Japan, the story centers on Oei, the third daughter of the ukiyo-e master, Katsushika Hokusai. While the world admires her father's innovative works, Oei, a young woman of strong character and great technical skill, is the true hand behind many of the works attributed to him. Far from a simple biographical account, the manga portrays the bohemian life and daily challenges of two artists living together in a small studio, amidst commissions, debts, and the search for aesthetic perfection. The plot is woven through everyday episodes that reveal Oei's personality, her struggle for recognition, and her peculiar bond with a brilliant, distracted, and often irresponsible father. The bustle of the city of Edo, with its temples, brothels, and festivals, serves as another character, framing a story about artistic creation, sacrifice, and identity.
Main themes
- The role of women in Edo-period art and the invisibility of their work.
- The complex family dynamic between an artistic genius and his daughter, who is both a disciple and an anonymous collaborator.
- Daily life, customs, and the visual culture of 19th-century Japan.
- The creative process and the relationship between the artist, their work, and commercial commissions.
- The search for identity and personal independence in a hierarchical society.
Who is it recommended for?
This manga is ideal for readers interested in the history of Japanese art, especially in the figure of Hokusai and ukiyo-e. It will also appeal to those seeking intimate narratives focused on strong, complex female characters, as well as fans of historical and slice-of-life manga who wish for an authentic immersion in Edo-period Japan.
What this book offers
- A unique and well-documented perspective on the life and work of Hokusai, revealing the crucial role of his daughter Oei.
- A visual and narrative immersion into the atmosphere, culture, and art of 19th-century Japan.
- A human portrait, far removed from the myths, of the life of an artistic genius and his family environment.
- A story that invites reflection on talent, recognition, and artistic legacy.
Technical data
- Author: Sugiura, Hinako
- Publisher: Ponent Mon Ltd
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Graphic novels: manga, comics, and graphic novels
- Collection: Manga
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2018
- Number of pages: 352
- Weight: 690 g
Editorial review
This second volume solidifies Hinako Sugiura's proposal as one of the most human and well-documented approaches to the figure of Hokusai and his environment. The work stands out for its ability to intertwine art history with domestic life and personal conflicts, offering a narrative that is both educational and deeply emotional. The paperback edition, with its 352 pages, allows for a comfortable reading of a story that captures the essence of an unrepeatable artistic period through the eyes of an exceptional woman.