The Great Wave at Kanagawa, designed by Katsushika Hokusai

The great wave off Kanagawa

A personal exploration of Japanese tradition and identity through the lens of Hokusai’s timeless print

12 NOVEMBER 2025, 

ORSOLYA ANTONI

This exquisite print, a masterpiece of ukiyo-e, never fails to captivate with its vibrant hues and intricate details. The moment I first encountered it, I was swept away by the tumultuous roar of the ocean, a wave rising high above the distant Mount Fuji, creating a stark contrast that ignited a profound curiosity within me about the awe-inspiring world of Japanese culture, art, and cuisine. The energy of the wave, so alive and dynamic, seemed to speak to a deeper narrative of resilience and beauty amidst chaos, leaving me in a state of wonder and awe.

Hokusai Katsushika / Ukiyo-e Genius Recognized Around the World

 

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October 31, 1760 – April 18, 1849

葛飾北斎 Hokusai Katsushika

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Ukiyo-e Genius Recognized Around the World

Katsushika Hokusai was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e artist active in the late Edo period. He lived to the age of 90 during the Edo period (1600-1860), a time when the average life expectancy was less than 50 years, and created approximately 30,000 works before his passing. Many of his works, produced over about 70 years, continue to be highly acclaimed even 170 years after his death.