IITSU Period
1820 - 1833

Upon his sixtieth birthday in 1820, Hokusai adopted the art name Iitsu. The new name was used for roughly thirteen years, and he continued to focus on edehon works during the first half of this period. He has also left numerous shikishi format surimono masterworks produced under the name Iitsu. The most remarkable works from the Iitsu Period are the oban format paintings and the nishiki-e prints series. Starting around 1830, Hokusai painted a multitude of surimono prints based on landscapes, flora and fauna, and ancient legends.


1820 Bunsei 3 61 The seal of Iitsu begins to appear in some of the works.

SHIRABYOSHI Heian Court Performer, signed Hokusai Taito aratame Iitsu, sealed Katsushika. Top of 1820'.
Ritual of Usokae at Kameido Tenmangu Shrine begins.
Death of Kitao Shigemasa at age 82.
1821 Bunsei 4 62 November 13, death of Hokusai's daughter (believed to be his fourth daughter, Onao).
DAI-NIHON ENKAI JISSOKU ZU, text by Ino Tadataka.
1822 Bunsei 5 63 Divorce of Hokusai's oldest daughter Omiyo and husband Yanagawa Shigenobu (Hokusai's apprentice).

EDO RYUKO RYORITSU Fashionable Edo Cookery Part II, cookbook by Yaoya Zenshiro, illustrations signed Hokusai aratame Iitsu and others.
Death of Shikitei Sanba at age 47.
1823 Bunsei 6 64 Began using Manji as Hokusai's senryu name.

IMAYO SEKKIN HINAGATA Models of Modern Combs and Pipes in Fashion Today, edehon signed zen Hokusai Iitsu.
EDO KIRIE ZU, first published by Suharaya.
Death of Ota Nanpo, a vassal of shogunate Ota Fukashi at age 75.
1824 Bunsei 7 65 SHINGATA KOMONCHO New Models for Kimono Patterns, edehon signed zen Hokusai Iitsu.
Death of Kuwagata Keisai at age 64.
1825 Bunsei 8 66 Wrote a preface for HAIFU YANAGIDARU, 85 volumes, senryu selection.
Death of Utagawa Toyokuni I at age 57.
1826 Bunsei 9 67 SUKIGAESHI A Random Miscellany, miscellaneous works compiled by Ryutei Tanehiko, copies of old works signed Iitsu.
1827 Bunsei 10 68 Hokusai believed to have suffered an ailment which he cured with homemade medicine.

Wandering Soothsayer, brush painting signed Hokusai Iitsu Keiga; dated Bunsei 10, second day of the New Year, first work.
Death of Kobayashi Issa at age 65.
1828 Bunsei 11 69 Death of Hokusai's wife Kotome (June 5)

KOETSU SEIFU BONGA HITORI GEIKO Teach Yourself Sand Painting with Koetsu, edehon by Tsukihana-no Nagame, signed Iitsu.
P. F. van Siebold Incident during which a map of Japan was taken out of the country, an action that was strictly banned at the time.
Death of Sakai Hoitsu (brother of Sakai Tadazane, lord of Himeji clan) at age 68.
1829 Bunsei 12 70 Said to have been worried about his prodigal grandson (Yanagawa Shigenobu's son).
NISE MURASAKI INAKA GENJI, gokan text by Ryutei Tanehiko, illustrations by Utagawa Kunisada.
1830 Tenpo 1 71 Said to have sent his prodigal grandson to Osyu from Takasaki.
Death of Yadoya-no Meshimori at age 78.
1831 Tenpo 2 72 FUGAKU SANJUROKKEI Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, series of horizontal oban prints signed zen Hokusai Iitsu etc. Top of 1830'. 
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*Click image for a further enlargement of this work.
EDO HANJOKI, text by Terakado Seiken.
1832 Tenpo 3 73 RYUKYU HAKKEI Eight Views of Ryukyu Islands, series of 8 horizontal oban prints signed zen Hokusai Iitsu. Top of 1830'.
Death of Jippensha Ikku at age 67.
1833 Tenpo 4 74 TOSHISEN EHON GOGON RITSU Chinese Verses' Illustrated, a collection of poems by Takai Ranzan, illustrations signed zen Hokusai Iitsu.
SHOKOKU TAKIMEGURI Travels Around the Waterfalls, series of 8 upright oban prints signed zen Hokusai Iitsu.
SYUNSYOKU UME GOYOMI in two volumes, ninjo-bon text by Tamenaga Shunsui.
Tenpo Great Famine began.

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