Search results
Jan 18, 2021 · Honolulu (KHON2) – The Honolulu Museum of Art has an exceptional exhibition featuring Hokusai’s “Great Wave off Kanagawa” through November 29th. “We’ve got an exciting one to start ...
- Overview
- The portrayal of the mountain changes in every print. Sometimes it’s shown as a mere silhouette, in other prints it’s the focal point. What’s the symbolism?
“The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” from the series “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” Japan, Edo period, c. 1830-1834, color woodblock print. Honolulu Academy of Arts: Gift of James A. Michener, 1955
His name may not be as familiar as Monet or Picasso, but Katsushika Hokusai created one of the most recognizable–and most reproduced–pieces of art in history, the Japanese woodblock print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” From now until January 3, 2010, and for the first time in ten years, the Honolulu Academy of Arts is displaying the print alongside Hokusai’s entire “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series. The late novelist James Michener gave the series to the Academy, which is one of only a few other museums in the world own an entire set. (If you can’t make it to Oahu, you can see the entire series online at www.art.honoluluacademy.org.) Sheila Sarhangi spoke with Shawn Eichman, Curator of Asian Arts for the Academy, who co-curated the exhibit with Sawako Chang, to find out more about the prints, and Hokusai himself.
Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series is an example of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints. What is ukiyo-e?
The term ukiyo literally means “floating world” in Japanese and was originally developed as a Buddhist term. It was used to refer to the impermanence of the world, and the suffering that results from this impermanence. In the Edo period, which occurred from 1615 to 1868, this concept of impermanence was celebrated. The basic idea behind ukiyo-e woodblock prints is that they are images that show the impermanent and ever-changing world, and the beauty that comes from that impermanence.
How were ukiyo-e woodblock prints made?
It was a multi-staged process that involved a lot of different people. The artist would prepare the designs, which would then be given to a block carver. The block carver would paste the design onto the woodblock and carve it into the wood. When he did that, the original design would actually be destroyed. After the main block had been carved, one block would be carved for each color that was used in the prints. In some cases, depending on the number of colors used, as many as 20 or 30 blocks would be carved for a given print. At that point, the blocks would be turned over to another group of people who specialized in printing. They would be responsible for applying the colors onto the wood and putting the paper down on the blocks to make the print. The final step was that the person who paid for all of this (who typically was not the artist, but was rather a publisher) would distribute them for sale to the public.
The series definitely has different sub-themes, and the prints that have received the most attention show Mount Fuji as a symbol of the overwhelming power of natural forces. A classic example of this is the most famous print from the series, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”.
In this print, you can see a number of boats struggling to stay afloat and not capsize as they are being tossed and turned by the wave. All the while Mount Fuji stands by, serenely in the distance, as if it were indifferent to their survival.
What’s interesting is that the other major sub-theme shows Mount Fuji as a protective symbol of the people of Edo and Japan. The mountain is displayed almost as if were a patron deity of the people, who are seen going about their day-to-day activities in the foreground and not paying any attention to the mountain at all.
A good example of this is “Fujimigahara in Owari Province”.
The print shows a barrel maker working inside a very large barrel, which forms a circle and occupies the whole middle of the print. The barrel also frames a very tiny Mount Fuji in the background and the barrel maker actually has his back turned away from the mountain. It’s showing someone in really the humblest of activities.
Why did Hokusai create so many scenes showing people? What’s the symbolism there?
Modern Reproduction of: The Great Wave off Kanagawa ... Honolulu Museum of Art School 1111 Victoria Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.532.8741
Apr 3, 2024 · Where is Honolulu? Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu, is located along the southeastern coast of the island of Oahu. As the third largest island in the chain, Oahu is sandwiched between Kauai to the west and Molokai to the east.
Waikiki Beach. 18,819. Beaches. This iconic landmark in Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, located on the south shore of Oahu. Waikiki Beach is the birthplace of modern surfing culture—look out for the statue of renowned…. See ways to experience (127) 2023. 9. Manoa Falls.
Honolulu (/ ˌ h ɒ n ə ˈ l uː l uː / HON-ə-LOO-loo; Hawaiian:) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean.An unincorporated city, it is the county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu, and is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city. Honolulu is Hawaii ...
People also ask
When was the Great Wave off Kanagawa made?
Where is Honolulu located?
Where is Waikiki Hawaii?
Is Waikiki a neighborhood in Honolulu?
376,282. Honolulu, Hawaii. As the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu delivers on big-city vibes just steps from some of the best nature on the islands (in the world, really). Spend your city days in downtown Waikiki, with its blocks of shops and sky-high hotels, or head to the food haven of Kapahulu to snack on poke bowls and shaved ice.
