Welcome to Horace Mann's Webpage on:
Introduction: The Japanese are famous for their beautiful artwork. Some of their artistic styles came originally from China, while others are entirely their own.
Appreciation of beauty is part of the Japanese character. Zen Buddhism and the Shinto religion have influenced some works of art. We can see their appreciation for nature in their paintings, statues, pottery, and even in gardens. In other styles of art we can see their appreciation for their history and for popular heroes of the time.
Art was not separated from daily life, but part of it. Traditional Japanese clothing (kimono) was often beautifully designed. Homes and temples held small statues of Buddha, simple yet elegant pottery, and more.
The following are the major types of Japanese art:
I. Brush Painting [sumi-e] Sumi-e means "black ink painting"
 Kyoto National Museum |
This painting is a masterpiece of a Japanese artist who went to China to study painting of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. He tried to unite Zen Buddhism and art throughout his life. Looking at his picture is like meditating on the beauty of nature and the insignificance (unimportance) of man. It was painted about 1506. You can zoom into details on this painting. |
Brush painting with black ink [Sumi-e] was an artistic style that first came from China and Korea. It was introduced in the 6th and 7th centuries as Prince Shotoku and other leaders tried to bring Chinese art, language and writing, science, philosophy, and Buddhism into Japan. Brush painting was at first popular with the daimyo (nobles), the aristocracy, but later became popular with other classes.
Brush paintings usually showed nature (like flowers, birds, bamboo, mountains, trees and rivers during the four seasons, etc.). Few people were shown in the traditional brush paintings because man is a small part of the natural world, according to Japanese artists. Brush painting has been influenced by Zen Buddhism which emphasizes nature and meditation. A poem is often written as part of the picture's message.
What materials and equipment are used in sumi-e?
An artist needs paper, black ink, water, and paint brushes. First the lighter background is painted with broad strokes. (Gray is made with mixing a small amount of black ink with water.) The artists cannot go back and make changes, so they must first plan what to do. Artists first meditate before beginning a painting.
Next the artist will add the details with darker and then darker shades of ink. Again, these are done with quick brush strokes, not coloring in from an outline as in Western painting.
Empty space is important in Chinese and Japanese brush painting. The space gives the impression of clouds or fog. The space often gives the feeling of both timelessness and change in nature.
After the painting is completed and dry, the artist will stamp the work with his name carved into a "chop" and then put into red ink. This is the artist's "signature". The picture may be put onto a scroll and hung on the wall, or put into panels that may divide a room. Some are painted on very long "hand scrolls" that must be unrolled on a table and tell a story.
Traditional ink comes in stick form. It is made from vegetable carbon (lampblack) and glue. It is molded into a form and fired in a kiln (pottery oven) to become an inkstick. To paint with this stick, you need to grind it with water in a circular motion on a slate stone. Besides giving you the ink, this process also is a wonderful meditation exercise. By grinding ink, you can clear your mind before you begin painting.
Here are some more beautiful brush paintings:
|
|
While most brush paintings were about nature, some told Buddhist stories, or were even portraits of rulers. Above is the story of a priest who wanted to become a disciple of the famous Zen Buddhist founder. He approached the Zen Buddhist while he was meditating in a cave. When the monk refused to accept him as a disciple, he cut off his own left arm to prove his determination. He was then accepted. (By Sesshu, painted c. 1496, now in the Kyoto National Museum. Click on image to get an enlargement.) |
 Some brush paintings added colored paints to the black ink drawings. This scroll is from the 14th century. Asia Society's Virtual Gallery |
In addition to the black ink paintings, artists used ink with colors on silk. Below is a portrait of the shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi, dated 1599.
|
Learn more about brush painting (sumi-e):
Learn more about Japanese Art:
|
You are here at Page One: Introduction and Brush Painting
Go to Page Two: Calligraphy and Gold Cloud Panels
Go to Page Three: Wood Block Printing (Ukiyo-e)
Go to Page Four: Ceramics (Pottery), Sculpture (Statues), and more
