The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

The Great Wave off Kanagawa — Katsushika Hokusai (c. 1830–1832)

A cresting wall of water rears like a living thing; fishing boats tilt and race; Mount Fuji sits small and still beyond. This fine-art reproduction—after Hokusai’s iconic ukiyo-e woodblock from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji—distils motion and calm into perfect balance: deep Prussian blues, crisp line, and a composition as modern today as when it was carved.

Why it captivates

• Design perfection — sweeping curves, diagonals, and negative space that read across a room.

• Blue revolution — early, vivid use of imported Prussian blue for striking tonal depth.

• Tension & stillness — storming sea against the serene geometry of Mount Fuji.

• Cultural touchstone — the most recognisable image in all of Japanese printmaking.

• Effortless décor — graphic, calming, and at home in classic or contemporary spaces.

What you’ll see

A towering wave hooks forward in foaming “claws,” dwarfing three long oshiokuri-bune (fast cargo boats). Tiny boatmen brace as spray flecks the air; beyond, Mount Fuji rises, perfectly triangular, under a pale, weathered sky. The whole scene is cut in clean contour and layered blues that feel both precise and alive.

A richer historical frame

Carved and printed in Edo during the early 1830s, Hokusai’s Great Wave belongs to the ukiyo-e tradition of polychrome woodblock (nishiki-e). Its daring composition and use of Prussian blue helped carry Japanese visual ideas worldwide, shaping Impressionist and modern design sensibilities for generations.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)

• Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass.

• Preserves crisp linework and subtle blue gradations with minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)

• Encapsulated in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, sealed edge-to-edge for durability.

• Wipe-clean surface—perfect for classrooms, studios, and high-traffic spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)

• Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.

• Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)

• Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and long life.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)

• As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.

• Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

841 × 584 mm (approx. 33.11 × 22.99 in)

• Orientation: Landscape

• Aspect ratio: ~1.440 : 1

• Nearest standard frame: A1 (594 × 841 mm) — landscape

• Framing tips:

  • Classic look: Use an A1 frame with a mat window cut slightly undersize (e.g., ~837 × 580 mm) to overlap edges by 2–3 mm.

  • Contemporary look: Float-mount in an A1 frame; the ~10 mm height difference to A1 creates clean top/bottom reveals.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternate aspect ratios or an added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Design lovers & collectors seeking the world’s most iconic print

• Interior stylists aiming for calm, graphic impact

• Educators & museums teaching ukiyo-e, colour technology, and global influence

• Gift-givers celebrating new homes and milestones

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and fidelity of your piece.

Bring timeless motion to your space—order your fine-art print of The Great Wave off Kanagawa today.