Thursday, 9 May 2024

Hokusai's Great Wave


The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, is a woodblock print by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. It was published sometime between 1829 and 1833 in the late Edo period as the first print in Hokusai’s series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. I was fortunate enough to see an original print of The Great Wave at the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum located near Matsumoto when we were there in 2012.

One of my favourite souvenirs from Japan is this cute little tote bag featuring a couple of maneki-neko ("beckoning cats" or "lucky cats") riding in one of Hokusai's storm-tossed boats --


As the tote bag shows, The Great Wave is now a pop art icon, instantly recognizable no matter what form it takes. So here for your viewing pleasure are a few notable versions I've come across on the internet over the years --

Digitized poster, 1982 --


Cookie Monster version --


Photographic art by Tim Walker, 2019 --


Japan-based artist and LEGO Certified Professional,
Jumpei Mitsui created this version with 50,000 LEGO --


Circuit board print by Alain Bousquet, 21st century --


"Uprisings, 2003" by artist Kozyndan --


Wil Wheaton Bedhead GIF --


30 comments:

Tom said...

...I have seen the The Great Wave, but now I know more about it, thanks. Cookie Monster rules.

Liz Hinds said...

You can be a Lego professional?!!
I've never noticed Fuji in the background! And I love your tote bag.

Boud said...

Lovely Japanese print. It's one of those iconic images you can't imagine not knowing. It's been used for years now to symbolize the Democratic blue wave.

Bob said...

Amazing talents to create all those great versions!

The Happy Whisk said...

I love Cookie Monster. He cracks me up. Did you ever see the video where Cookie Monster is filming his own food show? I think that's what it was. What a hoot.

Love the bag. Very cool you still have it.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ The Happy Whisk -- I'll have to look up that video on YouTube. I'm confident it will involve cookie mayhem!

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Can't get over the Lego one!!
Can't.

XOXO

Marie Smith said...

Cookie Monster wave is my favourite!

Ellen D. said...

What a beautiful work of art and aren't you lucky you got to see it!?! My favorite meme is the Cookie Monster!

Pixie said...

The Great Wave in lego, impressive.

Rosemary said...

I have always loved that image of Hokusai's Great Wave from the moment that I first saw it. I wonder whatever Hokusai would think of all the copies and spin offs?

Leanna said...

I love this. So many different interpretations of an iconic piece of ancient art. I love that tote bag.

Mr. Shife said...

Hayden loves the Wave. She has a poster. The Lego creation is awesome and I also love what Wil Wheaton did with his bedhead. Totally rad, man.

gz said...

What most people don't seem to realise is that being Japanese, one should read the print's story from right to left.....

e said...

Such an iconic image and so many clever interpretations of it! I really like the circuit board but wish the artist had included Mt Fuji. Also, Wil's bedhead is fab!

A tsunami in real life is no doubt less artistically pleasing...

Kathy G said...

Thanks for showing so many options. I have to say that the digitized version is the one that speaks to me.

Tundra Bunny said...

Cookie Monster and the uprising bunnies for the win!

Katerinas Blog said...

Definitely an iconic image and I love the versions of it, it definitely took a lot of imagination and effort for some of them.
50,000 Lego impressive!

Kirk said...

The Cookie Monster is my favorite. COO-KIE!

Susan Kane said...

To see the original would be an experience. The different versions gave the wave a totally different versions. Some people are so clever.

angela said...

I have seen the wave but I never knew about it.
I love how creative people can take a single image and turn it into so many interesting
Things.

DVArtist said...

Truly a wonderful post. I have such good memories of Japan. Looks like you do too. I have a poster of the Wave that Mr. M. made a frame for. Love all of the digi pictures. Have a great day.

lissa said...

These are fun versions, especially the cats & bunnies versions, but I like the original the best.

Have a lovely day

Joanne Noragon said...

So many iterations of the Great Wave. Lovely collection.

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

So great that you were in Japan and go to see the print in person.! I was very lucky to see the print too in the US at an exhibit in Anaheim, along with his other prints. It was simply amazing! I really like the circuit board one and your bag is fantastic!!

-Soma

Mike said...

The bedhead GIF is me.

Moving with Mitchell said...

I’ve seen so many takes on the original but had never seen any of these you’ve included. Amazing.

baili said...

thanks for making me familiar with something unknown and amazing :)

loved the first wave art splendid indeed wow !
all are good ,the hares wave is my fave :)

yellowdoggranny said...

the bedheaaaaaaaad

Adam said...

I want that as a grocery bag