ukiyo-e

Learning Intention: We are learning to create our own version of The Great Wave off Kanagawa by using lines, shapes, patterns and colour to represent the movement and power of the ocean.

Success Criteria:

I can identify the main features of Hokusai’s Great Wave.
I can use curved lines and shapes to create moving waves.
I can use colour and patterns to add detail to my artwork.
I can create my own unique version inspired by the original artwork.

Ukiyo-e (pronounced oo-kee-yo-eh) is a traditional Japanese art form that began hundreds of years ago.

The word Ukiyo-e means “pictures of the floating world.” Artists created colourful pictures using woodblocks, a bit like printing stamps onto paper.

Ukiyo-e artworks often showed:

🌸 Beautiful flowers and landscapes

🌊 The sea and giant waves

🗻 Mountains, including Mount Fuji

👘 People wearing traditional Japanese clothing

🏮 Everyday life in Japan

One of the most famous Ukiyo-e artworks is The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. It shows a huge wave with Mount Fuji in the background.

Washi paper

The print of Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" was printed on washi paper, which is handmade Japanese paper made from the inner bark of the kozo (mulberry) tree. This type of paper is known for its dimensionality, stability, and ability to absorb water-based inks beautifully, making it suitable for the intricate details of Hokusai's woodblock prints.

🎨 Features of the artwork

1. A giant wave

The enormous wave curls over like a claw, with foamy white tips that look like fingers. It looks powerful and wild!

2. Mount Fuji

The small mountain in the background is Mount Fuji, a famous mountain in Japan. It looks tiny next to the huge wave.

3. Small boats

There are boats carrying people on the rough sea. The boats look very small compared with the giant wave.

4. Blue and white colours

The artist uses different shades of blue and white to show the water, waves and sea foam.

5. Curved lines and shapes

The artist uses lots of curved lines to make the water look like it is moving and swirling.

6. Japanese printing technique

The artwork was made using a technique called woodblock printing. This allowed the artist to print the same picture many times.

Drawing Activity- The Great Wave

ukiyo-e

🎨 Features of the artwork

Drawing Activity- The Great Wave

Junior Students

Senior Students