One of the most influential and recognisable Japanese artworks of all time, the Great Wave off Kanagawa from Katsuhika Hokusai will be released as a LEGO set in 2023.
Coming to LEGO stores and LEGO.com worldwide in January 2023 (Asia Pacific and China in February 2023 and India in April 2023), this 1,810pcs set based on the woodblock art of Hokusai as part of his 36 Views of Mount Fuji series, will be joining the myriad of artforms and brands inspired by it.
The set will be priced at €99.99 / $99.99 / £89.99/ 169.99 AUD/ 139.99 CAD.
The LEGO set has a bit of depth to it by utilizing layers of builds instead of a flat mosaic piece.
The set also includes a buildable frame surrounding the artwork that functions as a holder or a hanger for the set. Although a frame is not present in the original artwork but we do love how the artwork clicks into place onto the frame at the final step of the build. (Look forward to our review soon!)
We believe that the use of white bird elements to represent the claw-like aggressive wave whites is an easter egg inserted by the designer; as a later work by Hokusai (The Big Wave) on a similar topic shows claw-like wave whites seemingly turning into seabirds.
I’m sure it will end up to be a conversation point in the LEGO community 🙂
Easily one of the most recognizable and influential Japanese artworks of all time continues to make creative waves around the world: Hokusai – The Great Wave. The LEGO Group is paying tribute to this global masterpiece and its almost two-century long history by re-imagining the iconic masterpiece in LEGO Art form, giving lovers of art and Japanese culture the opportunity to immerse themselves into a relaxing build, perfect for displaying at home.
Since Katsushika Hokusai created the original woodblock print of The Great Wave in the early 1830’s, the image has decorated the walls of museums, inspired music, and been recreated as street art and merchandise around the world. The image portrays Mount FUJI, Japan’s iconic mountain, behind a large wave covering a group of small boats.
The artwork has now been re-imagined by LEGO designers in this new 1,810-piece LEGO Art set, featuring layers and elements of different shapes to portray the lines and depth of Hokusai’s original artwork.
“We’re thrilled that fans of art and Japanese culture will get the chance to immerse themselves into the relaxing project of recreating the iconic Great Wave, captured in a LEGO Art set,” said Annemette Baaskjær Nielsen, Designer at the LEGO Group.
“This set offers so many ways that fans can unwind and find their flow. Not just immersing themselves into the building process, but also getting into the artwork and how that is composed. Sparking an interest in Hokusai’s instantly recognizable original and its rich history of almost 200 years.”
According to new research, from the LEGO Group’s global ‘Play Well 2022 Report’, most adults (93%) regularly feel stressed and are looking for new ways to unwind and relax (80%). Most of them (92%) want to unwind and find their flow through activities that are related to their hobbies and interests.
Art and LEGO fans can find their flow as they build and listen to the accompanying soundtrack while looking through the premium booklet of instructions that features details about the original artwork. Using LEGO Art Hokusai: The Great wave as a great escape.
The 1,810-piece LEGO Art Hokusai: The Great Wave set is available from January 1st from LEGO.com and LEGO retailers priced at €99.99 / $99.99 / £89.99.
