Hokusai’s recently rediscovered drawings for an illustrated encyclopedia are as captivating as they are rare. With the help of colleagues around the world, curator Alfred Haft takes a closer look at the research that is starting to illuminate their mysterious story.

Join us for a time-travelling trip back to Osaka, and visit the central Japanese city in the 19th century as we sample the best sushi in town, experience the wonders of Kabuki theatre and explore the city’s bustling markets.

We’re taking a trip back to early 19th-century Japan and visiting Edo – modern-day Tokyo – as curator Alfred Haft reveals the unmissable sights, the cuisine you’ve got to try and the best places to stay in this historical travel guide.

Scientific researcher Capucine Korenberg zooms in on Hokusai’s world-famous wave and explores how subtle changes in the impressions and design can tell us about the making of this masterpiece.

Tim Clark details some of the fascinating objects and stories that are on show in our free displays on the historic region of Nara in west-central Japan

As we open the Citi exhibition Mangaマンガ,  exhibition curator Nicole Rousmaniere explores eight very different genres of manga, from boys’ love to adventure and explains why there’s a manga for everyone…

Tim Clark discusses the origins of manga, and debates whether Hokusai could actually be said to be the father of modern day manga…

Modern manga is a global phenomenon, but its roots stretch back further than you might imagine. Ryōko Matsuba and Alfred Haft introduce the history of the genre in 12 key works.

Organics conservator Tania Desloge discusses the conservation work undertaken on a newly acquired set of samurai armour.

Julie Nelson Davis discusses the remarkable relationship between Hokusai and his daughter Katsushika Ōi, an accomplished artist in her own right who supported and worked as Hokusai’s collaborator during the final two decades of his life.

A new film, the first documentary in English on Hokusai, brought the works of Japan’s greatest artist to the big screen across the UK and Ireland in 2017. Director Patricia Wheatley discusses Hokusai’s lasting influence, and how 8K technology has provided greater insight into his immortal skill.

People are living longer than ever before and society is constantly reevaluating what it means to be ‘old’. Exhibition Curator Tim Clark reveals why Hokusai: beyond the Great Wave focuses on the last 30 years of the artist’s extraordinarily long life.

Take a closer look at one of the most famous artworks in the world. The Great Wave was created in 1831 but has had a remarkable influence on art ever since. Here are some key facts you might not know about this iconic masterpiece.