While Hokusai is often colloquially dubbed the "inventor" of manga, this exhibition takes a more nuanced approach, examining how the concept and meaning of "manga" have transformed over the last two centuries.

Rather than a dry historical timeline, the display contrasts Hokusai’s 19th-century mastery with contemporary Japanese comics to show how visual storytelling has evolved into the global phenomenon we recognize today.

More Than Just Reproductions

While the exhibition is part of a global traveling series organized by The Japan Foundation, the Budapest installment offers more than simple display panels. The collection is bolstered by significant original works, including:

* Original Woodblock Prints: Four pieces from Utagawa Hiroshige’s iconic series, Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō.
* Modern Classics: Original Japanese comics from the latter half of the 20th century.
* Contemporary Art: Original drawings and prints from seven distinct mangaka (manga artists).

A Visual Encyclopedia

Expats familiar with modern narrative-driven manga might be surprised by the original Hokusai Manga. Instead of a linear story, it serves as a massive visual encyclopedia. Its pages capture everything from mundane everyday gestures and facial expressions to plants, mythical creatures, and humorous social observations.

Originally intended as a "model book" for Hokusai's students to copy and learn from, these works are essentially the 19th-century ancestors of modern "How to Draw" manuals.

Key Themes: Participation and Evolution

The exhibition’s curator-led approach avoids rigid historical "proofs" of influence, instead inviting visitors to draw their own comparisons between the different eras.

Several unique sections highlight this:

* Hokusai as a Character: See how the artist himself is portrayed in modern comics - sometimes as a historical figure, other times as a fictional pop-culture icon.
* Live Legacy: New works created specifically for this exhibition by modern artists demonstrate how Hokusai’s motifs continue to inspire new creative perspectives.
* Participatory Art: A central takeaway is that manga has always been a "participatory" medium—built on the culture of copying, sharing, and reinterpreting ideas rather than just passive viewing.

Save the Date: Manga Day on May 9

For those looking for a deeper dive into Japanese culture, the museum will host a dedicated Manga Day on May 9, 2026.

This all-day event offers a variety of activities for families and enthusiasts alike:

* Workshops: Try your hand at traditional crafts like origami, sashiko (embroidery), and mizuhiki (cord-weaving).
* Performances: Experience the power of a taiko drum concert and martial arts demonstrations.
* Cultural Insights: Attend curator-led tours, lectures on pop culture, and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

This exhibition serves as a bridge between 19th-century Edo-period artistry and the modern global practice of manga, challenging visitors to think about how we "read" images and how artistic traditions are inherited across generations.

More:
neprajz.hu/en

Photo by: László Incze/ Museum of Ethnography

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