Tony Herrera

Japan 314
10/9/18

Ukiyo-E

Since the 17th Century, Japan had created a famous form of art that is still influential in

our modern society. Ukiyo-e is an old form of woodblock prints and painting that started in

Japan during the Edo period (17th century) through the 19th century. Various artists produced

these Ukiyo-e, some famous artists were Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Moronobu. These artists would

generally would do a variety of paintings ranging from beautiful Geisha, kabuki actors, scenes

from history, or erotica. Making the Ukiyo-e paintings is a huge process, such as carving wood

blocks and pressing it on to hand paper. Beautiful painting are made that still are leaving our

society with awe. Therefore, these pieces of art affect the audience due to Gillian Rose’s analysis

of the site of production, the image itself, and the audience.

Based on Hokusai’s famous ukiyo-e of the rising tides known as “The Great Wave off

Kanagawa” has a huge process of behind the production of the ukiyo-e. In the image of the “The

Great Wave off Kanagawa” there is a team of artists that are behind the beauty of the painting. In

the production of the ukiyo-e there are about 4-5 different people in the team. First, there is the

main artist that is in charge of the concept and the idea of the painting. The carver is the person

that cuts and carves the series of woodblocks that ultimately creates the work of art. Next, the

printer is the one in charge of inking and pressing the woodblock one by one onto the paper

creating the final product. Lastly, the publisher is the individual that distributes and promotes the

painting. This process of production shows that creating a beautiful painting takes an abundance

of time. Based on the “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” it takes a long time to create a beautiful

form of art. Comparing this form of art to modern art such as drawings, animation, paintings, etc.

the production has slightly changed making it easier for us at certain aspects. For example, when
 Tony Herrera
Japan 314
10/9/18

artists paint on their canvases, it doesn’t take a group of people to think of a concept, outline, and

do the painting. Due to the modern technology, we can create a painting or a form of art

individually by buying a canvas/paper and art utensils on our own. Therefore, the site of

production during the 1700 in Edo, Japan had a huge process comparing to our modern society.

Second, The site of image in the painting of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” has

various colors and objects in the painting that add distinct visual effects. To start, in the painting

the large tides of waves look very treacherous and frightening, this is due to the the white tips of

the wave looks similar to very large talons or claws that are about to engulf the sailors into the

sea. Also, the visual effect of the dark blue of the image was a new blue that was discovered by

Hokusai. This give a very cold and serious impression of being in a huge storm. Next, Mount

Fuji in the background of the image exhibits culture and a traditional quality. This creates an

authentic quality to the image, much like the Eiffel Tower tells the image is in Paris or Lady

Liberty depicts that the image/painting shows that it is in the U.S. Hokusai wanted to express

Japanese culture onto the painting to give a feeling authenticity. Also, This image is part of his

collection of Mount Fuji. Therefore, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” has many details in the

painting that expresses emotion and culture due to the visual effects.

Lastly, there are various perspectives the audience may interpret based on the painting of

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” By looking at the large tide and seeing Mount Fuji in the

background, the painting seems to be a first-person view for the audience. The painting wants the

audience to feel as they are experiencing the large wave alongside the fisherman on their boats.

Due to this the audience are more engaged in the painting and feel as if they are apart of the

painting. Also, many western artists are inspired by the art and recreate the painting by adding
 Tony Herrera
Japan 314
10/9/18

different aspects creating their own interpretation. For example, a novel by the name of The Big

Wave by Pearl Buck, uses “The Great Wave of Kanagawa” in the background alongside his

characters of the cover of the book. There are various T-shirts and apparel with different design

promoting the artwork as souvenirs and is shown as an emoji for text purposes in our

smartphones. This shows that due to Hokusai’s influence, people are able to use his artwork and

make it relevant based on different lifestyles.

In conclusion, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is a powerful masterpiece that inspired

millions of people in the past and it continues to inspire today’s generation. I chose to this

artwork because I wanted to explore and learn more about the origins of the image/painting.

Hokusai’s intent for making this image was to express his emotions and his teach his

audience/viewers history through a form of art. Due to Hokusai’s intention it motivated people to

find and search for a deeper meaning to the painting based on their own interpretation. In the

end, the piece of art becoming a legend and is still being produced and advertised in our modern

society.
 Tony Herrera
Japan 314
10/9/18

https://www.overstockart.com/painting/the-great-wave-ohttps://www.overstockart.com/painting/t

he-great-wave-off-kanagawaff-kanagawa

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/the-big-wave-by-pearl-s-buck/
Tony Herrera
Japan 314
10/9/18