Hokusai's Lost Manga

A mysterious volume advertised in 1823 as “Master Iitsu's Chicken‑Rib Picture Book” was likely meant to be a continuation of Hokusai's famous Manga series, but a published copy of it has never been found. This eclectic and engaging collection of drawings from the peerless Japanese art holdings at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, was likely intended for that lost book. It includes the sort of lively, behind‑the‑scenes sketches of daily life, as well as imaginatively conceived sea creatures, refined flowers, deities, heroes, and a variety of craftspeople and laborers.