"Under the Wave off Kanagawa" also known as "The Great Wave", is considered to be one of the masterpieces of ukiyo-e prints. This print was created and drawn by Katsushika Hokusai and is part of Hokusai's "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" series.
Hokusai created this print when trade in Japan was heavily restricted and the print is approximately 10x14 inches. Additionally, "The Great Wave" shows how Japanese art was influenced by Dutch art. "Under the Wave off Kanagawa" purposely shows Mount Fuji in the background. As the Met Museum describes, "Hokusai cleverly played with perspective to make Japan’s grandest mountain appear as a small triangular mound within the hollow of the cresting wave." Along with that, the color of the wave in this print is the color Berlin blue, also known as Prussian Blue. This specific hue of blue was in very high demand during Hokusai's time. The wave is pictured to be threatening to the sailors in the wave just below it. Not only are the boats about to be "swallowed" by the wave, but the mountain in the background (Mount Fuji), also appears to be overwhelmed by the great wave that is depicted. (Art Institute of Chicago)