#1 Under the Wave off Kanagawa

Woodblock Prints Title: Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki nami-ura)

Publication: 1831

Size: Horizontal ôban; 25.8 x 38 cm (10 3/16 x 14 15/16 in.)

Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudô)

Signature: Hokusai Aratame Hitsu (“From the brush of Hokusai, who changed his name to Hitsu”)

Notes: This print is the most iconic print from Hokusai.

Original: 1st state. known as the Blue Outline. 4 originals from different sources. Around 1,000 copies originally printed. The early edition have more pronounced lines, while in later printing, the lines are not continuous in the boxes where the title is. When the colors fade, especially the yellow, the clouds are disappearing from the sky and become more uniform. Less than 100 known copies are left.

Estimated Value: Ref # 36V1

2nd state. known as the Black Outline. It differs from the Blue outline, as the main key block uses black ink instead of blue ink. The difference is obvious when looking at the lines around the title, but also by the brown sunset around the clouds. The yellow color in the boats is now brown. Estimated Value: Ref # 36V1a