The painting of Japanese waves is called "The Great Wave off Kanagawa".

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" (かながわおきなみうら) is a color Ukiyo-e print created by the Japanese painter Katsushika Hokusai in the early 19th century.

The painting depicts the turbulent waves in the sea near Kanagawa. There are three advancing ships in the waves. The heroic boatmen are engaged in a thrilling and fierce fight with nature in order to survive, expressing the The fearless spirit of people who brave the wind and waves and move forward bravely.

Creative background

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is one of Katsushika Hokusai's print collection "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji". "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" depicts the scenery of Mount Fuji from 36 different locations in Kanto (the first edition only depicts 36 views, and later added 10 views), including Kanagawa Oki. Japanese people have generally had an almost religious worship of Mount Fuji since ancient times, which reached its peak in the middle of the Edo period.

From a geographical point of view, Kanagawa Oki should be the limit of distance from Kanto to Mount Fuji. From here to Mount Fuji, there is a wide Sagami Bay. This painting is also created by twisting and deforming this realistic scene.