A new authentic sweet potato shochu called "Fukukinzan," inspired by the iconic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, is set to go on sale on April 9, 2026.
Product Overview
Satsuma Kinzan-gura, a distillery that carries on the traditional shochu-making techniques of the Edo period, has created this product as a collaboration between Japanese traditional craftsmanship and the art of Edo-period master Katsushika Hokusai. White koji sweet potato base spirit is delicately blended with the rare "golden koji," resulting in a smooth, full-bodied, and deeply aromatic flavor.
The bottle design is centered on the color "indigo blue," which both the artwork and the bottle share. The waves of the ukiyo-e print and gold leaf swirling inside the bottle come together in a harmonious visual impression. The product is also recommended as a souvenir for inbound visitors and those with an interest in Japanese culture.
- Brand Website: https://www.hamadasyuzou.co.jp/kinzan/hokusai/
- EC Site: https://shochu.life/item/007633
Katsushika Hokusai: A Master Who Shaped World Art
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was one of Japan's most celebrated artists of the late Edo period. Over a career spanning 90 years, he produced a diverse body of work including actor portraits, portraits of beautiful women, landscapes, book illustrations, and bird-and-flower paintings, leaving a legacy that extended well beyond the typical scope of ukiyo-e artists.
Among his most well-known works, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" (46 prints in total) and the art instruction book "Hokusai Manga" (15 volumes) were widely embraced in their time by people across all social classes in Edo, becoming bestsellers of the era. His work spread to Europe from around the mid-19th century, where it became a driving force behind the Japonisme movement. In 1998, the American magazine "Life" conducted a survey of "the 100 most important people of the last 1,000 years," and Hokusai was the only Japanese person selected. Today, Hokusai exhibitions and events continue to be held around the world, with his works inspiring wonder and emotion in people everywhere.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Hokusai's Iconic Masterpiece
This painting is widely regarded as the defining masterpiece of "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," created by Hokusai in his 70s. It captures the moment when the crest of a collapsing wave, resembling countless outstretched hands, appears to lunge at small fishing boats amid the sea. Known internationally as the "Great Wave," it is considered the most recognizable Japanese painting in the world.
The image presents a dramatic contrast between the frenzied waves threatening the boats and the calm, distant presence of Mount Fuji—a juxtaposition of movement and stillness, near and far. Hokusai's bold use of vivid "Prussian blue" (bero-ai) influenced European artists ranging from painters such as Manet, Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh, to composer Claude Debussy, who used this image on the cover of his symphonic poem "La Mer."
The "Fukukinzan" shochu was supervised by Mitsuru Uragami, the world's foremost collector of "Hokusai Manga," to ensure the artwork's world is faithfully expressed in the product.
