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Lesson Plan Image

The Great Wave

Students will learn about ocean waves and explore the painting "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have a discussion about ocean waves. Ask students to research what causes the constant motion (the gravitational pull of the moon, energy passing through the water, etc.) as well as the reasons for storm surges such as tsunamis (submarine earthquakes or landslides that displace a large amount of water very quickly).

  • Step 2

    Introduce the class to works by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) who painted "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa." Have students examine this iconic painting and note its three themes: the dominating force of the ocean, the three boats, and the view of Mount Fuji in the distance. It has been said that the white tips of the waves appear to be small white claws about to grab hold of the men in the boats, and that this represents the enormity and power of the ocean and the fragility of man.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create their own version of this work. Encourage them to use the various shades of blue that Hokusai utilized in this as well as others in the series. When their work is done, have a discussion about how art can be used as a metaphor to symbolize and communicate deeper meanings behind literal forms.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models.

Adaptations

It is believed that Claude Debussy was inspired by "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" to compose the tone poem "La Mer" (the sea). He had a print of it hanging in his living room and requested that its image be used as the cover art for the published score. Have students listen to portions of this piece and discuss how the music evokes the feeling and movement of the ocean.

Hokusai was a master in the Japanese art form "ukiyo-e," which was one of the most important Japanese genres of art of the Tokugawa period ((1603-1867). Have students explore this art form and look at some notable examples including "The Plum Garden at Kameido Shrine"(1857) by Utagawa Hiroshige or "Genji Viewing Snow From a Balcony" by Toyohara Kunichika.