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 --
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 --
...I have seen the The Great Wave, but now I know more about it, thanks. Cookie Monster rules.
ReplyDeleteYou can be a Lego professional?!!
ReplyDeleteI've never noticed Fuji in the background! And I love your tote bag.
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.
ReplyDeleteAmazing talents to create all those great versions!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag. Very cool you still have it.
@ The Happy Whisk -- I'll have to look up that video on YouTube. I'm confident it will involve cookie mayhem!
ReplyDeleteCan't get over the Lego one!!
ReplyDeleteCan't.
XOXO
Cookie Monster wave is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful work of art and aren't you lucky you got to see it!?! My favorite meme is the Cookie Monster!
ReplyDeleteThe Great Wave in lego, impressive.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
ReplyDeleteI love this. So many different interpretations of an iconic piece of ancient art. I love that tote bag.
ReplyDeleteHayden 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat most people don't seem to realise is that being Japanese, one should read the print's story from right to left.....
ReplyDeleteSuch 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!
ReplyDeleteA tsunami in real life is no doubt less artistically pleasing...
Thanks for showing so many options. I have to say that the digitized version is the one that speaks to me.
ReplyDeleteCookie Monster and the uprising bunnies for the win!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an iconic image and I love the versions of it, it definitely took a lot of imagination and effort for some of them.
ReplyDelete50,000 Lego impressive!
The Cookie Monster is my favorite. COO-KIE!
ReplyDeleteTo see the original would be an experience. The different versions gave the wave a totally different versions. Some people are so clever.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the wave but I never knew about it.
ReplyDeleteI love how creative people can take a single image and turn it into so many interesting
Things.
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.
ReplyDeleteThese are fun versions, especially the cats & bunnies versions, but I like the original the best.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day
So many iterations of the Great Wave. Lovely collection.
ReplyDeleteSo 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!!
ReplyDelete-Soma
The bedhead GIF is me.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen so many takes on the original but had never seen any of these you’ve included. Amazing.
ReplyDeletethanks for making me familiar with something unknown and amazing :)
ReplyDeleteloved the first wave art splendid indeed wow !
all are good ,the hares wave is my fave :)
the bedheaaaaaaaad
ReplyDeleteI want that as a grocery bag
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