The Hidden Scale of Japan's Masterpiece

Hokusai's famous Great Wave print is actually quite small, roughly the size of a standard piece of notebook paper. Despite its massive reputation as a global icon, the original woodblock print measures only about 10 by 15 inches.

This legendary artwork was created as a relatively inexpensive souvenir print during the Edo period. Because they were printed from wooden blocks, thousands of copies were produced and sold to travelers for the price of a double serving of noodles. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable images in history despite its humble origins. It is fascinating that such a modest object now defines the global perception of Japanese art.