Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’ Reaches Historic Sale of $2.8 Million

Katsushika Hokusai’s “Under the Wave off Kanagawa,” commonly referred to as “The Great Wave,” is an eminent artwork from Japan’s Edo period. This legendary woodblock print, part of Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” has captivated art enthusiasts around the world for many generations. Recently, it commanded HK$21.7 million (US$2.8 million) at a Sotheby’s auction, significantly surpassing its estimated worth. This early print was showcased in the “Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Okada Museum of Art Auction” in Hong Kong in November 2025, where the total sales for the event reached an impressive $88 million.

Additional noteworthy sales featured “Fukagawa in Snow” by Kitagawa Utamaro, which brought in $7.1 million, alongside a variety of rare ceramics from Japan, China, and Korea, representing 3,000 years of history. This collection, curated over three decades by Kochukyo Co., Ltd., emphasizes the profound connection between traditional and contemporary Asian art. As reported by Sotheby’s, “The Great Wave,” first printed around 1831, had approximately 8,000 impressions, with only about 130 still in existence. Celebrated for its harmony and portrayal of humanity’s battle with nature, this print enjoys an esteemed position in modern visual culture.