Katsushika Hokusai
Japan, 1760­1849
The Great Wave Off Kanagawa from the series
Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji
c. 1831
Woodblock print
25.6 x 37.5 cm
Clarence Buckingham Collection, 1925.3245

Hokusai made 36 different views of the volcano Mt. Fuji, the highest point in Japan. This view shows Mt. Fuji as it looks to sailors who are nearing the shores of Japan. The crashing waves dwarf the mountain which, like the waves, is white-capped. How many boats are on this rough sea?

Making a woodblock print involves many people. Hokusai created the original drawing; others traced it onto blocks of wood (one for each color), carved the blocks, applied ink, and printed the blocks on paper.