SORI STYLE Period
1795 - 1804

The Sori signature begins to appear in works from 1795 when Hokusai was 36 years old. This name is believed to have been taken from Tawaraya Sori, a Rimpa School town painter. Three years under this new name produced ukiyo-e works that differed from those by other artists. During this period, Hokusai also worked on surimono prints and kyoka ehon illustrations which later became known as works from the Sori Style Period.


1795 Kansei 7 36 KYOKA SAITAN EDO MURASAKI The Purple of Edo, kyoka-bon text edited by Mankitei Hana-no Edozumi, illustration of NENREIZU New Yearﾕs Greeting, signed Sori.
1796 Kansei 8 37 SHIKINAMI-GUSA Grasses of the Four Seasons, kyoka-bon text edited by Seiryotei Kangi, illustrations signed Hyakurin Sori.
1797 Kansei 9 38 Draws illustrations for three series of kyoka-bon.
Death of publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo at age 48.
1798 Kansei 10 39 Bestowed the name Sori upon his apprentice Soji and adopted Hokusai Tokimasa as his own art name.
1799 Kansei 11 40 AZUMA ASOBI Dances of the East, black and white printed kyoka-bon text edited by Senso-an Ichindo, illustrations signed Hokusai. (later editions EHON AZUMA ASOBI Dances of the East, Illustrations printed in color).
1800 Kansei 12 41 TODO MEISHO ICHIRAN Famous Views of the Eastern Capital, kyoka-bon edited by Senso-an Ichindo, signed Hokusai Tokimasa.


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KAMADO SHOGUN KANRYAKU NO MAKI Tactical Treatise of General Oven, kibyoshi text and illustrations by Tokitaro Sorobeku (alias Kako).
1801 Kyowa 1 42 CHIGO MONJU OSANA KYOKUN Juvenile Instructions of the Boy Monju, kibyoshi text and illustrations by Tokitaro Sorobeku (alias Kako).
Shogunate ordered Ino Tadataka to investigate Kanto and Tohoku districts.
1802 Kyowa 2 43 EHON CHUSHINGURA Picture book CHUSHINGURA, kyoka-bon text edited by Sakuragwa Jihinari, illustrations signed Hokusai Tokimasa.

ITAKO ZEKKU-SYU Song of Itako, kyoshi-bon text edited by Fuji Karamaro, unsigned.）


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TOKAIDOCHU HIZAKURIGE Part I, kokkei-bon text written by Jippensha Ikku.
1803 Kyowa 3 44 BUCHOHO SOKUSEKI RYORI An Improper / Impromptu Feast, MUNAZANYO USO NO TANAOROSHI Facetious Calculations, kibyoshi texts and illustrations by Tokitaro Sorobeku.

RYUKA KASAMOCHI BIJIN Beauty with Umbrella beneath a Willow Tree, brush painting signed Gakyojin Hokusai, sealed Tokimasa, ca. Kyowa period (1801 - 1804).
Dishes of Yaozen at Asakusa Shin-torigoe become popular.
1804 Bunka 1 45 EHON KYOKA YAMA MATA YAMA Mountain upon Mountain, kyoka-bon text edited by Oharatei, signed Hokusai.

Portrait of Daruma at Gokokuji temple in the Otowa District, Edo (dated April 13 ).
Russian delegation arrived at Nagasaki demanding trade with Japan.
Kitagawa Utamaro chained.

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