Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) | Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki nami-ura), also known as The Great Wave | Edo period, 19th century

Christie's, New York, Japanese and Korean Art, 16 March 2021, Lot 138

Hokusai’s most renowned design. Although approximately 8,000 impressions were printed at the time, today it is thought that the known number extant is around 130. 

This later impression of Hokusai’s Great Wave shows the key role of the printer in the overall effect of the printing. In earlier impressions, the printer applied black bokashi [gradation] horizontally to indicate the light of a brightening morning sky. Here, the printer uses his baren [printing pad] diagonally, suggesting spindrift blown from the cresting wave in high wind. 

Seven separate cherrywood blocks were used in the printing process. Areas of the carved wood wore down over the course of printing from the woodblock. There were notable line breaks in the contours of the wave and outline of the title cartouche. The seventh printing block for the clouds became damaged and was discarded earlier on in the print run. In order to extend the life span of the block, the line breakages were restored and the seventh block re-carved. Among other small alternations to the block, the yellow block for boats was replaced. 

It is interesting to note the printer’s decision to re-imagine the application of the bokashi, perhaps to lend novelty to the already popular design.

For a similar impression of the same print in the Art Institute of Chicago, reference number 1952.343, go to: 

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/77333/under-the-wave-off-kanagawa-kanagawa-oki-nami-ura-also-known-as-the-great-wave-from-the-series-thirty-six-views-of-mount-fuji-fugaku-sanjurokkei