Water in Japanese Art

Water in Japanese Art: A Reflection of Shinto Ideology

Perhaps the most famous of all Japanese art is Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa (c. 1831). What often escapes the imagination of the masses, however, is the fact that this famous piece is simply one single manifestation of Japanese art's fixation on water. Whether depicted in flowing rivers, crashing waves, or tranquil ponds, water holds a profound significance in Japanese culture, originating in Shinto ideology surrounding the sacredness of elements. Here at Holy Masterpieces, we stock a wide variety of Japanese art prints, many of which feature depictions of water. As such, this blog post will explore our collection, and how it reveals the wider Shinto belief system, and the divine power of water.

The Sacredness of Water in Shinto

In Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, water is more than a natural element; it is a sacred force. Known as misogi, water purification rituals are central to Shinto practice. These rituals involve the symbolic cleansing of body and spirit, often performed by standing under waterfalls or washing hands and mouths at shrines. This connection between water and purification is mirrored in Japanese art, where water often represents renewal, purity, and the boundary between the sacred and the mundane.

Purchase your own: Hokusai, Pilgrims at Kirifuri Waterfall on Mount Kurokami, 1831

Katsushika Hokusai’s Kirifuri Waterfall at Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke Province is a striking depiction of one of Japan’s sacred waterfalls, nestled on Mount Nikkō. The piece is from Hokusai's famous series, A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces (Shokoku Taki Meguri), which celebrates the beauty and spiritual significance of waterfalls across Japan. This woodblock print portrays a group of pilgrims dwarfed by the cascading water, emphasizing the immense power and spiritual significance of the natural landscape. The waterfall itself is rendered with dynamic, almost sculptural lines, creating a sense of movement and vitality that aligns with Shinto beliefs about nature as a living force.

Utagawa Kunisada, Hatsuhana at Hakone, 1852

Utagawa Kunisada’s Hatsuhana at Hakone (1852) depicts the legendary figure Hatsuhana performing misogi—ritual purification—beneath a powerful waterfall. This act of devotion is rooted in the tale of Hatsuhana praying for her injured husband’s recovery, embodying loyalty and perseverance. The dynamic depiction of the waterfall and Hatsuhana’s posture reflect the spiritual intensity of her ritual, emphasizing Shinto beliefs in water as a purifying force. Set in Hakone, the print combines natural beauty with themes of endurance, aligning with Edo-period aesthetics and Kunisada’s theatrical storytelling.

For Shinto practitioners, natural features such as rivers, waterfalls, and springs are not just landscapes but sacred spaces imbued with the presence of kami—spiritual beings or deities. As such, the pilgrims in Hokusai’s print are not just travellers but participants in a spiritual journey. Standing before the waterfall, they are likely engaging in contemplation or preparing for a ritual cleansing. This reverence for water as a vessel of the divine shapes how it is portrayed in Japanese art, emphasising its spiritual and transformative qualities.

Katsushika Hokusai and the Power of Water

Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1831

One of the most iconic depictions of water in Japanese art is Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa (c. 1831). This woodblock print captures a towering wave, its frothy crest curling like claws over small fishing boats. While it showcases the immense power of nature, the print also reflects the Shinto belief in the coexistence of humans and the natural world. The wave, though formidable, is not depicted as malevolent but as a dynamic force that commands respect and awe.

Hokusai’s wave can also be seen as a metaphor for life’s impermanence, a concept deeply intertwined with Shinto and Buddhist philosophies. The transient nature of water mirrors the fleeting moments of existence, reminding viewers of the importance of harmony with the natural world.

Tranquility of Water

In contrast to the dramatic energy of Hokusai’s wave, other Japanese artworks focus on the serene and reflective qualities of water. These serene landscapes align with Shinto’s emphasis on nature as a source of spiritual connection and peace.

Kawase Hasui, Morning in Beppu, 1928

Kawase Hasui’s Morning in Beppu (1928) captures the tranquil beauty of water in a serene and atmospheric setting. Known for his contributions to the shin-hanga (new prints) movement, Hasui masterfully portrays a quiet morning in Beppu, a city famous for its hot springs.

The stillness of the water reflects the soft light of dawn, creating a sense of calm and introspection. Hasui’s use of muted tones and delicate gradients emphasizes the harmony between water, sky, and the surrounding landscape, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect.

In Japanese aesthetics, water often symbolizes renewal and peace, and in this work, Hasui conveys these qualities through the quiet elegance of his composition. The print exemplifies the artist’s ability to evoke mood and capture the spiritual tranquility found in nature.

A world of water

From the crashing waves of Hokusai’s prints to the serenity of Hasui’s shin-hanga landscapes, water in Japanese art is a profound symbol of Shinto ideology. It represents purification, harmony, and the sacred essence of nature. Whether you find inspiration in the power of the ocean or the stillness of a pond, the portrayal of water in Japanese art invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the spiritual forces that flow through it.

Explore our collection of Japanese-inspired pieces and bring a touch of this sacred element into your own space.

References

• Clark, Timothy. Hokusai: Beyond the Great Wave. Thames & Hudson, 2017.
• Guth, Christine M. E. Hokusai’s Great Wave: Biography of a Global Icon. University of Hawai'i Press, 2015.
• Yashiro, Yukio. The Art of Japanese Landscape Painting: Suiboku-ga. Tuttle Publishing, 1958.
• Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese Art. Pearson, 2004.
• Brown, Kendall H. Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints. Amsterdam University Press, 2003.
• Munsterberg, Hugo. The Arts of Japan: Ancient and Medieval. Tuttle Publishing, 1998.
• Addiss, Stephen. Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the Supernatural. George Braziller, 1985.
• Moeran, Brian. Folk Art Potters of Japan: Beyond an Anthropology of Aesthetics. Curzon Press, 1997.
• Kobayashi, Tadashi. Ukiyo-e: An Introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints. Kodansha International, 1997.
• Sano, Midori, and Matthi Forrer. Shinto and the Sacred Art of Japan. British Museum Press, 2007.