The Japanese word Sumi-e means black ink painting (sumi 墨 = black ink, e 絵 = painting). Using just simple black ink and carefully curated white space, sumi-e captures the timeless beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Wash Ink Grapes by Chinese Artist Xu Wei
The origin of sumi-e paintings have roots in Chinese calligraphy, which can be noticed in the style of the brush movement. Chinese scholars were accustomed to using brush and ink on paper (especially during the Southern Song dynasty). Some scholars began to add artwork to their poetry using the same ink and brush. Effortless and simplistic brush strokes gave life to the paper.
Orchid Sumi-e: Image source
As the Zen monk, Beppe Mokuza Signoritti notes, “Real sumi-e must correspond to typical features, such as simplicity and spontaneity that directly strike the viewers’ sensibility. In order for a painting to be ‘alive’, all its components must be alive. This type of painting already includes the sketch; there is no need for preparation, as in traditional painting; any superfluous form or detail is left out.”
How did Sumi-e make its way to Japan?
In the Kamakura era (1192–1333), when the warriors (samurai) took over the power of nobility. The pilgrimages of Zen monks to China and their trading there allowed many Chinese paintings and artefacts to be brought back to Japan. This influenced artists who were working in the temples.
These imports inspired change in the subjects of painting, and led to an innovative use of colour, creating the “Yamato–e” style (painting on long scrolls, 9th and 10th centuries), replacing the Chinese black monochrome style.
“Yamato–e” style painting: Image source
Sumi-e artform is one of those rare artforms that has stood the test of time and remains in active practice by not just Zen monks but also by artists around the world who are taken by the beauty of this artwork. It has evolved each time with adaptations by different countries and artists. But its core characteristic of long calligraphic strokes with black ink remains consistent in all adaptations.
Feel like creating your own Sumi-e artwork? Get started with these free resources:
Here are some artworks I have made in the new journey of learning Sumi-e:
References for this article:
- https://www.sumi-e.it/en/what-is-sumi-e/
- https://www.sumi-e.it/en/history/
- https://melbourneartclass.com/sumi-e-painting-my-new-art-class-in-japan/
- https://japanobjects.com/features/sumie/#history