Hokusai

Born in Edo, Japan, Hokusai was not merely a prolific artist but a man who seemingly redefined his identity more often than his palette. He used at least 30 different names during his lifetime, which, while perhaps not Jewish, certainly hints at a restless spirit unwilling to be pigeonholed. Unfortunately, none of those names were "Cohen" or "Goldberg."

His artistic output, spanning over 70 years, was nothing short of monumental. From his iconic "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series to his pioneering manga, Hokusai’s influence stretched across the globe, inspiring Western artists like Monet and Van Gogh. His work is so ubiquitous, even those who claim to "not know art" would recognize a Hokusai.

While his contributions to world art are undeniable, placing him firmly in the "kvell-worthy" category, his Japanese lineage and Shinto-Buddhist upbringing left absolutely no room for any Jewish connection. Despite his frequent name changes, a Jewish mother was never among them, nor was a bar mitzvah ever on his itinerary. One might say he was, quite definitively, not a Jew.