When it comes to making waves, one person has cornered the market. We have all seen his iconic wave or one of the numerous parodies of it. I’m referring to the Japanese artist, Hokusai (1760- 1849), and his most famous print, The Great Wave Off Kanagawa”.
In 1639, Japan closed its borders. Western culture was forbidden, foreigners were expelled and no one was allowed to enter or leave the country. During that period, art for the people was developed and flourished. Woodblock prints were sold as souvenirs at popular tourist sites, and Hokusai’s were the most sought after. He was the first printmaker to make landscapes as opposed to prints of courtesans and Kabuki actors, i.e., celebrity prints.
Hokusai was an incredibly prolific, dynamic and innovative artist. He changed his name over 30 times during his long life, a new name every time his style or subject matter took a different direction. Although the use of multiple names was a common practice of artists at this time, Hokusai far exceeded all others in name switching.
Hokusai started painting at the age of six, but his most famous prints were produced after age 60. “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” was his most popular work, and “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” is from that series. At the age of 89 and on his deathbed he said, “If only Heaven will just give me another ten years…just another five years, then I could become a real artist.” The last name he took was Gakyo rojin manjii which translates to Old Man Mad About Art.
His wave keeps popping up all over the world, including the town nearest me, Manitowoc.
Click below for many ways artists have fun with the Great Wave…
