Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"The Plate Mansion," also known as "Sara-yashiki," is an evocative painting by the iconic Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. The work is noted for its intricate detailing and masterful use of line and color, characteristics that have come to define Hokusai’s career.

Visual Composition:
- Subject Matter: The painting depicts a scene from a well-known Japanese ghost story involving a maid named Okiku. The legend of Okiku involves her wrongful accusation of breaking a valuable plate, her subsequent descent into madness, and her haunting of the mansion's well after her death. The artwork captures the eerie essence of this narrative, including the spectral form of Okiku.
- Setting: The backdrop of the painting is a traditional Japanese mansion with finely detailed architecture including wooden beams and shoji screens. A well that plays a significant role in the story can often be observed as a central element with its dark and foreboding presence.
- Atmosphere: The use of shadow and light is exceptional. The spectral figure of Okiku is often depicted floating above or emerging from the well, sometimes accompanied by ethereal mist or ghostly radiance that Hokusai renders with a mix of delicate brushstrokes and soft color gradations.
- Color Palette: Hokusai uses a muted palette, with shades of soft blues, grays, and whites dominating the scene. These muted tones lend a haunting and serene quality to the work, aligning with the ghostly theme. There is a subtle but purposeful use of brighter colors to draw attention to specific elements in the composition, such as the haunting figure or the plates.

Katsushika Hokusai:
- Lifespan: Hokusai lived from 1760 to 1849 and is one of the most renowned figures in Japanese art, particularly known for his contributions to the Ukiyo-e genre.
- Artistic Style: Hokusai's style is characterized by its dynamic compositions, detailed realism, and expressive use of line. He is able to capture both the natural and supernatural with equal skill.
- Notable Works: Hokusai created numerous masterpieces, including "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," which is perhaps his most famous work. "The Plate Mansion" fits within his exploration of folklore and the supernatural, themes that recur throughout his oeuvre.

The Painting in Hokusai’s Career:
- Period: This painting was created later in Hokusai's life when he had fully mastered his craft and was experimenting with more complex and emotive subjects.
- Series: It is part of a series exploring ghost stories and spirits, illustrating Hokusai’s deep engagement with Japanese mythology and his ability to depict the eerie and the otherworldly.
- Technique: In "The Plate Mansion," Hokusai’s technique of woodblock printing allows for intricate details and fine lines, which are crucial in depicting the delicate and haunting imagery of this ghost story.

- Current Location: The original artwork, like many of Hokusai's pieces, may be part of various international collections. Institutions like the British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, or Tokyo National Museum frequently house collections of Hokusai’s works, although the precise location of "The Plate Mansion" may vary between exhibitions and private collections.
- Cultural Impact: This painting not only represents Hokusai’s mastery of the Ukiyo-e art form but also reflects the broader cultural fascination with ghost stories in Edo-period Japan. It is a testament to how art can serve as a medium for storytelling, preserving and perpetuating legends and folklore.

In summary, "The Plate Mansion" by Katsushika Hokusai is a hauntingly beautiful work that captures the artist’s fascination with the supernatural and showcases his exceptional skill in the Ukiyo-e tradition. Through its detailed composition and evocative use of color and light, the painting invites viewers into a world where art and legend intertwine.