Evgeny Semenovich Steiner – Japanologist, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Doctor of Arts. He worked at the A.S. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, taught, and conducted research at universities in Moscow, Jerusalem, Tokyo, Yokohama, New York, Manchester, and London. Since 2012, Professor of the School of Oriental Studies at the National Research University 'Higher School of Economics' (Moscow). Author of 15 books published in Russia, the USA, the UK, and Germany. The book by E. Steiner 'Hokusai Manga: Encyclopedia of Old Japanese Life in Pictures' (St. Petersburg: Petersburg Oriental Studies, 2016, 4 volumes) received the 'Book of the Year' and 'Enlightener' awards (in a special nomination) in 2017. Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is one of the most famous Japanese artists of the Edo period. Throughout his life, he published albums of engraved drawings called 'Manga'. In fifteen editions with four thousand figures and motifs, Hokusai presented an encyclopedia of old Japan in pictures – ranging from gods and heroes of antiquity to contemporary love affairs, household utensils, and a variety of natural scenes. The book by Japanologist Evgeny Steiner is a complete and thoroughly commented publication of 'Manga', unmatched in the world for its completeness of illustrations and historical comments. The author is convinced that cultural-historical explanations are often absolutely necessary. Although 'Hokusai Manga' is not written in hieroglyphs, but in 'drawing writing', it needs translation – from the language of Japanese historical and mythological plots, as well as from the cultural realities of two hundred years ago. The book will become a reference guide and will be of interest to all art lovers, enthusiasts of Japanese culture, as well as professional Japanologists and Sinologists.
