Spoon & Tamago - japanese art, design and culture

all photos courtesy Jumpei Mitsui

Jumpei Mitsui (previously), a certified professional LEGO builder, has completed what can only be described as a masterpiece: a LEGO replica of Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” one of Japan’s most iconic images.

Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print was always something he wanted to build, explains Mitsui, but never had the chance until now. In ensuring that his 3D lego replica not only payed homage to the original but also captured the dynamics of crashing waves, Mitsui says he read several academic papers on giant wave formations, as well as spent hours on YouTube watching video of waves. He then created the sketch below, which was used to create the final model.

Mitsui LEGO sculpture is currently on display at the Hankyu Brick Museum in Osaka, a space dedicated to showcasing the works of Jumpei Mitsui, Japan’s only certified professional LEGO block builder.