Sumi-e
Sumi-e or Suiboku is a form of ink painting developed
in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) from the practice of
Japanese and Chinese calligraphy (shodo). Suiboku was introduced
to Japan in the mid-14th century by Zen Buddhist monks, and grew
in popularity until its peak during the Muromachi period (1338-1573).
Sumi-e literally means "ink pictures"; suibokuga means "water ink
pictures." Only black ink — the same as used in calligraphy
— in various concentrations is used.
In sumi-e, as in calligraphy, the artist usually grinds their own
ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone, but prepared inks are
also available. Most ink sticks are made of densely packed charcoal
ash from bamboo or pine. The artist puts a few drops of water on
the inkstone and grinds the ink stick in a circular motion until
a smooth, black ink is made of the desired concentration. Ink sticks
are of higher quality and are preferred for works that are to be
displayed. Prepared inks are useful for practice.
A tsuketate is a type of brush used for sumi-e. Sumi-e brushes,
most of which are the same as the brushes used for calligraphy,
are traditionally made from bamboo, and goat, ox, horse, or wolf
hair. The brush hairs are tapered to a fine point, a feature vital
to the sumi-e painting style.
There are four main brush strokes used in sumi-e, called the "Four
Gentlemen" — the Bamboo Stroke, the Wild Orchid Stroke,
the Chrysanthemum Stroke, and the Plum Branch Stroke. The strokes
used to paint these four plants are the basis for everything painted
in sumi-e.
|