The Wave
The picture tells an entrepreneurial story of rhythm, optimism, and learning how to navigate.
ABOUT 〜
“The Great Wave’, a picture by Hokusai (1760-1849), a Japanese artist of the 19th century, is the most famous woodblock print in the world. Originally published in the 1830’s, it is part of a series entitled, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. Each of the pictures in the collection offers a unique perspective of the mountain with an accompanying scene, often depicting various weather conditions. There are at least 100 known surviving prints of “The Great Wave”, each with small nuances based on the use and wear of the woodblock. The work of Hokusai inspired many Europeans, including serving as inspiration to the Impressionists.
INTERPRETATION 〜
The main subject of ‘The Great Wave’ is Mount Fuji. It appears just out of site, in the background. It serves as an anchor point, if not for the eye, at least amidst the storm. An ocean crest dominates the perspective of the viewer, with the shape of the sea foam ominously extending itself — as if claws outstretched from mysterious depths.
Upon closer examination, there are three fishing boats engulfed between the stormy waves. The fishermen cling to their boats in an act of resistance, hope, and fate. The fishermen are caught in the elements, forced out of time and their natural rhythms. What will happen next?
While there are many wonderful artistic interpretations of this picture, from the craftsmanship of the woodblock to the existential style of the pure Prussian blue waves, it’s not difficult to make the case for an entrepreneurial interpretation.
The act of creation, of building a product or company or community, can be one of isolation. It can feel extremely lonely to build things, to put them into the world, and learn how to embrace the feedback.
It’s hard to set sail, let alone encounter any rough or unexpected seas.
Yet, invariably, this is exactly what happens and this is precisely how to learn. Innovation is a practice that can be developed, an art that can be refined, but it requires patience, and the realization that there are no ready-made answers.
It requires luck, fate, and a willingness to embrace what comes next.
‘The Great Wave’, and accompanying series, reminds us that we’re not alone in our adventures. However rocky the journey, however difficult it is to brace for the unexpected, there is a vision to aspire towards and hold steadfast.
Our lives are comprised of relationships with the world and with other people. How we encounter them, how we respond to them, how we learn to incorporate or accommodate becomes a challenge for us to work through.
Immediately, a cascade of thoughts rush in:
the ability to navigate unknown waters, often with a reference point or North Star, one that is nearby but that can feel out of sight and reach;
the desire to hold on and work together to overcome unexpected challenges, and embrace each moment as it comes, despite the circumstances;
the inescapable ability to find yourself immersed in a wave, waiting for the right time to escape or push ahead, with resilience and determination.
Building a company or product is a case of making mistakes, learning from those efforts, and organizing a new approach, inevitably with a different perspective.
I often imagine these fishermen upon their return home, the stories they told their families, the immeasurable size of the waves in their imaginations, the lessons acquired, and what adventures they embarked upon next.
I’m reminded of two powerful quotes that serve as inspiration:
“What’s so beautiful about creating products is that, saying it in a poetic way, if you have that passion it naturally starts waves and those waves connect people.”
— Jesper Kouthoofd, Founder of Teenage Engineering
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
— Antoine de Saint Exupéry
Stay in the loop. Sign up for our infrequent newsletter.
Self-portrait of Hokusai.
