Hokusai's Life Becomes a Graphic Novel by Latanza and Matteuzzi

A new graphic novel biography of Hokusai, titled "Hokusai. L'anima del Giappone," has been released in Italian by Rizzoli. The book, created by writer Francesco Matteuzzi and illustrator Giuseppe Latanza, was originally published in English by Lawrence King Publishing in April 2021. The 128-page volume features approximately 400 color illustrations and traces the life and work of the Japanese ukiyo-e master, known for "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." The narrative covers Hokusai's journey through Edo-period Japan, including scenes of Mount Fuji, geishas, samurai, and cherry blossoms. Latanza's style blends traditional ukiyo-e aesthetics with modern manga and anime influences, using ink and brush with digital coloring. Matteuzzi conceived the project after losing his job at a major weekly magazine in November 2018 while visiting the Design Museum Denmark in Copenhagen, where he saw ukiyo-e prints that reignited his interest. He collaborated with Studio Ram and Latanza to produce the biography. The book aims to show Hokusai as a man with weaknesses and idiosyncrasies who became an icon and a meme, reflecting his enduring influence on global culture. The Italian edition costs €19.90.