Japan is a small, mysterious, and not always understandable country for Europeans, located on distant islands. Its geographical location, the peculiarities of state policy, and ancient traditions of its people have led to its isolation from other countries. As a result, the culture and art of Japan have acquired distinctly unique features, possessing a special appeal in engraving and painting. Japanese painting is one of the most ancient and remarkable forms of creativity. Like any other, it has a long history, representing a long journey of competition and intertwining of traditional Japanese principles, adaptations of foreign ideas, and changes of schools and styles. This includes yamato-e and sumi-e, and one of the most popular directions of Japanese visual art during the Edo period – ukiyo-e prints. This is a whole array of famous masters, such as: Kano Eitoku, Kano Sanraku, Tōyō Sesshū, Hishikawa Moronobu, Utamaro Kitagawa, Suzuki Harunobu, Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and others. The magnificent calendar for 2026 on coated paper features works by Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) – a great Japanese artist, illustrator, engraver, and one of the most famous print masters outside Japan
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