Katsushika Hokusai's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' is perhaps the most recognizable work of Japanese art in the world. Created around 1831 as part of his series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,' it is a woodblock print, not a painting. This means thousands of copies were originally made and sold for about the price of a double serving of noodles. Hokusai was over 70 years old when he created this masterpiece. The print is famous for its use of 'Prussian Blue,' a synthetic pigment that was newly imported to Japan and allowed for much deeper, more vibrant colors than traditional dyes. Interestingly, while the wave looks menacing and dominant, the true subject of the series is Mount Fuji, seen in the distance. Hokusai’s work later had a massive influence on European Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh, who were fascinated by his composition and use of color.