Japanese Ink Paintings: Descriptions, Distinctions and Culture

Japanese Ink Paintings: Descriptions, Distinctions and Culture

Introduction

All cultures throughout time and history have the important role of art playing out the identity of the culture and the experience of that moment in time. Impressionism, surrealism and realism, among numerous other types of art forms have all played a role in history along with its significant artists behind the art. Looking at Japan, who was greatly influenced by art from China and its significant ink paintings of its past, a whole culture and society, is unraveled through it.

Materials and Distinction

Japanese arts have the distinction of being distinct because it uses absolutely identical materials, implements, and media for both drawing and painting (Bowie, 9). Therefore, it is arguable whether Japanese drawings and paintings are either the same thing or, that there is no such thing as a Japanese drawing (Bowie, 9). Either way, these drawings/paintings represent a distinct art form and era in Japanese history as well as art history. The art of these ink drawings involve the use of sumi, which is a charcoal precipitate that is mixed with water and can create visual and textual effects to an unlimited range (Bowie, 10). These ink paintings can also be referred to as sumi-e. The kind of brush that was used was also a wide variety of brushes from large, small, flat or round (Bowie 10). Sumi-e's encompassed a wide variety of materials in which it was presented on. They were seen on whole walls of a reception hall or temple, on sliding door panels known as the fusuma, as well as the hanging scroll that was known as kakemono (Yasuhiro 17). Along with those items, less elaborate items were used such as the hand scroll, makimono, fans, senmenga, and albums, gacho (Yasuhiro, 17). Along with these material items that were used in this art form were also the non-material aspects of the art; the artists' intent and planning of each painting. Subjects were transformed in the mind of each artist using interpretations and feelings that were expressed in each brush stroke (Yasuhiro 18). The artist was known to hold on to his brush until he had determined the intention, composition, and position of each stroke as well as how each stroke would function (Yasuhiro 18). These aspects of the art form truly distinguish Japanese ink paintings. These material and non-material items both work together to create specific and intricately thought