Production Cost – Chinkin Guitar “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Model

A Masterpiece of Japanese Art, Reimagined as a Chinkin Art Guitar

We have transformed “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, one of Katsushika Hokusai’s most celebrated works, into an art guitar using the traditional Japanese lacquer technique of Chinkin.

Your electric guitar is carefully entrusted to a lacquer artist from Echizen, who hand-carves the design line by line and applies gold powder and colors by hand to complete the work.

The glossy black surface of the guitar becomes the canvas for Hokusai’s powerful composition: a towering wave rising with tremendous energy, with Mount Fuji standing quietly in the distance.

An Edo-period ukiyo-e masterpiece, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and the modern electric guitar come together in an entirely new form of Japanese art guitar.

Designed not only to be played, but also to be displayed and appreciated as a work of art.

“Play it. Own it. Admire it.”

A truly one-of-a-kind guitar that brings together music, Japanese art, and traditional craftsmanship.

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is one of the most famous works by the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai.

One of the prints in his celebrated series “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” the work is renowned for its dramatic composition: a gigantic wave dominates the foreground, while Mount Fuji appears quietly in the distance.

The enormous wave rises with extraordinary force, while Mount Fuji remains calm and still beyond it.

This striking contrast evokes the overwhelming power of nature and the human struggle against forces greater than ourselves.

Today, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is recognized throughout the world as one of the masterpieces of Japanese art.

Its bold composition, dynamic waves, and iconic image of Mount Fuji have continued to fascinate people across generations and cultures.

The Power and Beauty of the Wave

One of the most captivating elements of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is the enormous wave that fills the composition.

It rises dramatically and powerfully, appearing as though it is about to surge toward the viewer.

Yet beyond the towering wave, Mount Fuji stands quietly and almost motionlessly in the distance.

Movement and stillness. Power and stability.

This powerful contrast creates the impression that, no matter how great the forces that come toward us may be, there is something enduring and unshakable beyond them.

We have brought this iconic composition onto a modern instrument—the electric guitar.

For anyone who creates music, life itself, like music, contains many waves.

We encounter challenges, overcome them, and continue forward while finding and expressing our own voice.

In this sense, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” can also be seen as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the determination to move forward.

What Is Chinkin?

Chinkin is one of Japan’s traditional lacquer decoration techniques.

Using an extremely fine engraving tool, the artisan carefully carves lines and patterns into the surface of lacquer. Gold powder, colored lacquer, and other materials are then applied into the carved lines to create intricate decorative designs.

The technique requires exceptional precision and years of experience in carving fine lines and beautifully finishing lacquer, gold, and colors. It is a traditional craft in which the skill and sensitivity of the artisan are essential.

For this work, a lacquer artist from Echizen carefully transfers the design directly onto the guitar body and engraves each line entirely by hand.

Gold powder and colors are then carefully applied layer by layer, recreating the dynamic movement of Hokusai’s waves and their intricate details on the surface of the guitar.

The delicate lines and distinctive texture created by the hands of the artisan are qualities that cannot be reproduced through printing or mechanical processing.

Because every guitar is individually handcrafted, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.

Transform Your Guitar into a One-of-a-Kind Work of Art

This product is not the sale of a finished guitar.

We take your own electric guitar and transform it with a handcrafted Chinkin decoration inspired by “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.”

Whether it is a guitar you have treasured for years or an instrument filled with personal memories, we can transform it through traditional Japanese craftsmanship into a truly unique work of art.

Depending on the brand, model, and condition of your guitar, we may not be able to accept the commission. Please feel free to contact us for an initial consultation.

Production Details

Production Method
Your electric guitar will be entrusted to an Echizen lacquerware workshop, where the Chinkin decoration will be handcrafted in its entirety.

Production Time：Approximately 4 months
Craftsmanship：Echizen lacquer artist
Production：Entirely handcrafted and made to order
Price：JPY 880,000 (tax included)

*The price does not include the guitar itself.
*Depending on the brand, model, and condition of the guitar, we may not be able to accept the commission.
*The guitar will be inspected and its condition confirmed before production begins.

Production Process

STEP 1｜Inquiry & Order
Please provide us with the manufacturer, model, and condition of your guitar.

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STEP 2｜Your Guitar Is Entrusted to Us
Once the guitar has been approved for the process, it will be sent to our designated workshop.

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STEP 3｜Handcrafted by a Chinkin Artist
The design of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is carefully transferred onto the guitar body, and each line is engraved by hand. Gold powder and colors are then applied to complete the intricate details.

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STEP 4｜Completion & Delivery
After approximately four months of craftsmanship, your one-of-a-kind art guitar will be carefully delivered to you.

Japanese Art and Traditional Craftsmanship, United in One Guitar

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.”

The traditional Japanese art of Chinkin, carved line by line by hand.

And the modern electric guitar.

An Edo-period ukiyo-e masterpiece, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and contemporary music culture come together in a single instrument.

We have brought together the beauty and techniques of different eras in one extraordinary guitar.

More than an instrument for making music, it is also a work of art embodying Japanese aesthetics and the skill of the artisan.

Bring the timeless beauty of Japanese art to your cherished guitar.

This is Re Tone’s Chinkin “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Model.