A History of the World in 100 Objects Hokusai's The Great Wave
Oct 13, 2010
Explore the global economy in 19th century with Hokusai's iconic print, The Great Wave. Learn about Japan's selective engagement with the world and the impact of Commodore Perry's intervention. Discover the artistic significance of Hokusai's artwork and its influence on cultural exchange.
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The Great Wave’s Deeper Meaning
- Hokusai's The Great Wave reflects instability and uncertainty, not just timeless serenity.
- The large wave threatens fishermen, making the viewer feel lost and overwhelmed.
The Wave’s Cross-Cultural Fusion
- The Great Wave uses imported Prussian blue, a synthetic dye from Europe, highlighting Japan's selective cultural exchange.
- This print is a hybrid of European materials with Japanese artistic sensibility, showing confident adoption of foreign elements.
Wave Symbolizes Japanese Ambivalence
- The Great Wave symbolizes Japan's ambivalence toward foreign incursions around the 1830s.
- It represents both protectionism and the potential for openness and exchange with the outside world.