2007-07-09 13:55:23 · 0 answers · asked by Robert G 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
You're probably aware of the 'yin-yang' ethos of Japan. Here, the wave is yin to the space beneath's yang. The tension is created by the fact that we know the wave is about to crash, but are spared from actually seeing it. The sheer size of the wave, seen in relation to Mount Fuji in the background, adds to this, as does the small 'peak' in the sea in the foreground, reflected in Fuji further back. Further to the yin and yang philosophy, note the calm demeanor of the fisherman in spite of the roaring forces of nature surrounding them. They are the easygoing yang to the violent nature's yin.
2007-07-09 16:14:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your tendency is to embrace technology as if it would help the words. Here it doesn't. Why do you have to try to explain everything? What is wrong with painting a scene without the details? Let the reader flesh meaning(s). Creature sleeps in a cavern deep beneath the ice of Arctic Sea, where no man has ever seen Now hunger wakes it from its dreams A guardian that mankind rightly fears he is now to finally judge He is not Alpha but he's Omega and man will taste the bitterness if he finds them lacking in their souls
2016-03-15 00:50:07 · answer #2 · answered by Cynthia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As compelling as it is to think of this image as a depiction of the Mongol Fleet foundering off the coast of Japan in 1281, it seems more likely that these are indeed fishing boats being tossed about in heavy seas.
It can be viewed as the overwhelming force of nature being contrasted against the frail existence of humanity. Mt Fuji looks on from the background, unmoving and serene.
A masterpiece of printmaking regardless of how it is interpreted!!
2 good descriptions below...
2007-07-10 05:39:55 · answer #3 · answered by MyDogAtticus 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Robert G., I'm surprised nobody so far has given you the true meaning of this fabulous piece of art. The wave saved Japan from the invasion by the Mongols/Chinese fleet led by Ghengis Khan (or was it Kubla Khan?). Anyway, they would have surely taken over Japan had a giant tidal wave not swept them under at the last minute killing most of the soldiers and all the generals of the invading fleet. That's why the wave is so significant!
2007-07-10 03:13:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Japanese Wave Painting
2016-10-07 23:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by kinjorski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to a small documentary created by Masterworks, hosted by TVO, the significance generally differs according to the hemisphere in which the painting is interpreted. For instance, as they note, the fishermen rushing into the giant wave is viewed by the Japanese as a sign of bravery, whereas western thought would usually consider it to be a sign of impending doom.
In regards to other interpretations, I'm a bit stumped. Any other thoughts?
2007-07-09 15:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Force. A special kind of force (you know yin/yang) but mainly it is an unstoppable force.
BTW: It is not supposed to 'represent' it, it IS. Like the villain on a wanted poster is not supposed to represent a villain, it IS the villain. You can not view Hokusai's work as symbolic. In that time anybody would 'read' his work as truth, not as a symbolic work though it has many connections with symbolic meaning...but then everything in that culture has, even drinking tea.
2007-07-09 20:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
nothing that i know of...he did a series of several paintings showing Mt. Fugi..and that was just one of those.
he wanted to show how Mt. Fugi is present from various angles in Japan
2007-07-09 14:59:23 · answer #8 · answered by Intelley 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋