Katsushika Hokusai's iconic woodblock print "The Great Wave" (officially *Under the Wave off Kanagawa*) is examined through three lesser-known facts. The article notes that the print, created between 1830 and 1832, is surprisingly small—less than 15 inches wide—and that its vivid blue pigment, Prussian blue, was a recent European import that revolutionized Japanese ukiyo-e prints. It also highlights Hokusai's practice of adopting over 30 different names throughout his career, which now helps scholars periodize his work.
This matters because "The Great Wave" remains one of the most reproduced and recognizable images globally, appearing on everything from emojis to merchandise. Understanding its technical innovations and the artist's biography deepens appreciation for how a single print can embody cross-cultural exchange (European pigments in Japanese art) and still captivate audiences nearly two centuries later. The article also underscores the print's current exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, reminding viewers that its physical scale defies its monumental reputation.