Jason Kottke, the founder and writer of the popular blog kottke.org, experienced a significant cultural milestone during his visit to Tokyo when he viewed an original woodblock print of Katsushika Hokusai's famous artwork "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" at the Creative Museum. This marked the first time Kottke had seen an original print of the iconic Japanese artwork in person, making it a memorable moment during his Tokyo trip.
Kottke shared his excitement about the experience on his website, expressing particular enthusiasm about both seeing the original artwork and the quality of the exhibition itself. The blogger noted that the museum visit was made possible through "Great Wave Today," a resource that helps art enthusiasts locate where they can view Hokusai's masterpiece around the world.
The experience resonated with Kottke's readers, including one commenter named Bob H who shared his own connection to Hokusai's work. Bob H mentioned purchasing a copy of the print during a visit to Kyoto in October, and revealed that he collects similar prints by Hokusai and other Japanese block print artists. He also noted that he has a tokonoma space in his home where he rotates these prints throughout the year, demonstrating the lasting appeal of traditional Japanese art among Western collectors.
Kottke's blog post about the museum visit reflects the ongoing international appreciation for Hokusai's work, particularly "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," which remains one of the most recognized pieces of Japanese art worldwide. The blogger's personal encounter with the original artwork highlights how digital platforms can help bridge cultural experiences and share appreciation for classical art forms with global audiences.
