La Grande Vague de Kanagawa : Quand Hokusai rencontre Pikachu

The Great Wave off Kanagawa: When Hokusai meets Pikachu

When you first saw the work, you have to admit that you were surprised. This unlikely fusion between the iconic Wave off Kanagawa and the beloved Japanese mascot Pikachu, orchestrated by the talented Seko One, raises questions.

But to understand " New View from Kanagawa: Lugia and the Great Wave ," one must understand where this blend of art and pop culture comes from, and thus delve into the history of Katsushika Hokusai, the artist behind the legendary Great Wave.

Hokusai: A Master of Japanese Prints

Katsushika Hokusai, an 18th-century Japanese painter, draftsman, and printmaker, is famous for his woodblock prints, a revolutionary art form of the time.

Prints were created by reproducing designs using a printing process that involved gluing the designs onto wood and then carving the wood into a stamp.

Among his many works, the most iconic print remains The Great Wave off Kanagawa, now a world-renowned image, even present in our daily emojis. 🌊

Hokusai's Immeasurable Legacy

However, Hokusai's influence extends far beyond his masterpiece.

He was known for keeping a sketchbook, called "Hokusai Manga", a term coined by the artist himself, literally meaning "unfinished drawing".

These sketches, left by Hokusai, had a monumental impact on early manga artists.

Thus, Hokusai is considered today as the founding father of manga, an artistic genre that has conquered the entire world.

Seko's Tribute: When Pikachu Surfs the Great Wave

Now that we have a clearer perspective on Hokusai's importance to the Japanese art world and his lasting influence on pop culture, we can better appreciate Seko One 's approach. For him, having Pikachu surf the Great Wave is a way of paying homage to the artist who made the creation of his favorite characters possible.

By uniting these two icons, Seko creates a bridge between classical art and contemporary pop culture , reminding everyone that the artists of yesterday continue to inspire and influence the creators of today.

It is a gesture of gratitude to Hokusai and a testament to the importance of art in preserving cultural memory.

So thank you Hokusai, thank you Seko, for broadening our perception of art and reminding us that artistic heritage never stops surfing new waves, just like Pikachu on the Great Wave off Kanagawa.

And in a few days, you too will be able to see Pikachu surfing the wave in your living room 🌊