Katsushika Hokusai: The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Under the Wave off Kanagawa)

The Great Wave off Kanagawa Created in 1832, this iconic woodblock print represents the pinnacle of Japanese ukiyo-e art, a genre that celebrated the beauty of the natural world and everyday life during the Edo period. Hokusai's masterpiece captures a dramatic moment when a towering wave threatens boats off the coast of Kanagawa, while Mount Fuji—Japan's most sacred peak—appears diminished in the distant background, creating a striking visual paradox. The print's bold composition, striking use of Prussian blue pigment, and dynamic perspective profoundly influenced Western artists and remains one of the most recognizable images in art history.