If you’ve lived or traveled to Japan, you’re probably well aware of Japan’s cash-heavy society, with 1,000-yen notes used for much of daily life. Once considered equivalent to 10 U.S. dollars, the yen has fallen to its lowest value in recent decades, now worth closer to 6 U.S. dollars. This is good news for tourists, especially those who appreciate Japanese woodblock art. Hokusaithe famous The Great Wave off Kanagawa The 1,000 yen banknote, just issued by the Bank of Japan yesterday, also features a portrait of the bacteriologist. Shibasaburo KitasatoCo-discoverer of the infectious agent behind the bubonic plague that occurred in 1894.
The last revision of the 1000 yen note, made 20 years ago, also featured bacteriologist Hideyo Noguchi. He identified the cause of progressive paralysis as syphilis. Before Hideyo Noguchi, Natsume SosekiOne of the most famous authors in the history of Japanese literature.
The Bank of Japan tends to release banknote designs for each official era that begins whenever a new emperor ascends to the throne. The current banknote design began in May 2019, when Emperor Akihito abdicated and his son, Emperor Naruhito, ascended to the throne. Other historical figures featured on banknotes from this era, called “Reiwa,” include Tsuda Umeko, founder of Tsuda University, and Shibusawa Eiichi, the “father of Japanese capitalism.”
A respected, popular and commercially successful artist, Hokusai knew a thing or two about capitalism. But he had an extraordinary eye for Japanese beauty, and that unique perception has profoundly influenced Eastern and Western art for almost two centuries. Japanese banknotes have even featured images of Mount Fuji. Six scrolls of irises by Ogata Korin,and The Tale of GenjiBut this is the first time. Ukiyo-eThe ukiyo-e was painted by Hokusai, one of several great masters active between the 17th and 19th centuries. Big Wave Buildings are something to celebrate, but considering today happens to be the 4th of July, let me say that a pyramid with eyes is pretty cool too.
Related content:
Introduction to Hokusai Big WaveOne of the most famous works of art in the world
The Evolution of Hokusai Big Wave: A study of 113 known copies of iconic woodblock prints
Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa Completely recreated with 50,000 LEGO bricks
Katsushika Hokusai’s Action-Packed Paintings of Japanese and Chinese Samurai (1836)
Alan Turing appears on Britain’s new 50 pound note
Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen appears on £10 note
Based in Seoul, Colin MaOnershall Writing and broadcastingHe has written papers on cities, languages, and cultures, and his projects include the Substack newsletter. Books about cities And books A city without a state: Walking through 21st-century Los Angeles. Follow us on Twitter CollinhamOnershall or Facebook.
