The Great Wave

The Great Wave is one of the most famous artworks from Japan. It was made by an artist named Katsushika Hokusai. The print shows a huge wave about to crash down. Small boats are riding on the rough water. In the background, you can see Mount Fuji.

How It Was Made

The Great Wave is a type of art called a woodblock print. The artist carves a picture into a block of wood. Then he puts ink on it and presses it onto paper. Hokusai used this way to make many copies of his art. The print uses mostly blue, white, and light brown colors.

Why It Is Famous

Hokusai made the Great Wave around the year 1831. It was part of a set of 36 pictures of Mount Fuji. People in other countries loved the bold design. The print helped teach the world about Japanese art. Today, you can find copies of it in museums all around the globe.

Fun Facts

• The Great Wave is sometimes called the most famous Japanese artwork of all time.
• Mount Fuji is actually much smaller than it looks because the wave is so big in front of it.
• There is even a Great Wave emoji on phones.

Did You Know?

Hokusai made more than 30,000 works of art in his life and kept drawing even when he was very old.