Hokusai Katsushika (1760-1849) was born in what is know Sumida Ward in Tokyo. It is said that he began to draw and paint pictures when he was six years old. He began to work at a book rental shop when he was around 12 years old. At around 14, he was carving printing blocks. In 1778, he became an apprentice of Shunsho Katsukawa who was widely popular for his actor prints. In the next year, he debuted in the community of ukiyo-e painters, calling himself Shunro Katsukawa. Following actor print is his debut work.
Hanshiro Iwai (The Fourth)
The actor on the print is Hanshiro Iwai (The Fourth) who was playing Kashiku. At the time, he was drawing actor prints like this and illustrations for kibyoshi (illustrated books for adults) as a Katsukawa school artist.
Yokujo Hakkei (Public Bath in the Edo period）
In the Edo period, the Edo citizens bathed in public baths.
Lingering Snow for Azuma and Yogoro, Evening Grow for Date-no-Yosaku and Seki-no-Koman
This has 2 prints in the left and right. Hokusai carved 2 patterns on one wooden block. This is called “Nicho-gake”. Usually, 2 prints are separated after print, but this was not and rare.
He spent most of his life in Sumida area and he drew scenes of Sumida.
Fire Works at Ryogoku Bridge
This is one of this works drew scenes of Sumida.
Kinryu-zan Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
Senso-ji Temple is widely popular as its Kaminari Gate and Hokusai drew the temple in the Edo Period.
If you have a chance, I strongly recommend to visit 2 Hokusai museums in Nagano and in Tokyo to enjoy his works.
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