The History of Japanese Ink Painting: Sumi-e and the Heart of Japanese Art

Image: Bamboo and Snail from Dazzling Art Boutique

There’s something about Japanese art that feels simultaneously ancient and modern. Even when you see it in books, or on your computer screen, the images seem to exist outside of any particular time period. As if the art were always meant to be exactly where we see it today. Ink painting is one such example of this timeless quality in Japanese art. It’s a method that dates back thousands of years, and is still used by artists today. But how did this style come to be? What does it signify? And what do its different variations say about the people who practice them? In this post, we delve into the history of Japanese ink painting, called sumi-e, and explain why so many people love it so much.

What is Sumi-e?

Sumi-e is a type of Japanese ink painting that has its roots in calligraphy. In fact, the first ever examples of sumi-e were simply calligraphic brushstrokes on paper. As time went on, however, sumi-e developed into a more distinct style of art, with a specific set of rules and techniques. Though it’s sometimes seen as a style of painting, sumi-e is closer to calligraphy. Artists use a brush to create bold, spontaneous strokes that are meant to emphasize the natural texture of the paper itself. While painting, the brush can’t be lifted off the paper once it’s touched down, so the artists must be skilled at controlling the flow of their brush.

The History of Sumi-e

As we said above, sumi-e is a method that dates back thousands of years. These brushstrokes are likely the first examples of Japanese ink painting, and were done by the Chinese as well. The first examples of Japanese sumi-e, however, didn’t come about until the 8th century. This was when Japanese monks began writing in ink on paper, and found that the texture of the strokes created an appealing texture on the paper’s surface. The monks then began expanding this idea, creating paintings and calligraphy with ink brushstrokes that emphasized the textured paper underneath. People began collecting these pieces over the years, and eventually, sumi-e became an art form in its own right.

Variations of Sumi-e

As we’ve seen, the roots of sumi-e lie in calligraphy. And in fact, many artists who practice sumi-e also engage in this other form of artistic writing. This is because the brushstrokes and artistic decisions in one affect the other. If a sumi-e artist is trying to create a very smooth stroke, for example, they must make a very specific decision. The type of ink and the way it’s applied can affect the texture of the brushstrokes in sumi-e, but so can the type of paper used. Therefore, sumi-e artists will often use water-based paper, which is smoother than other types of paper. They’ll also use high-quality sumi ink. This is a type of ink that’s been used in Japan for over 2,000 years and is made from ground-up charcoal mixed with water.

The Importance of Sumi-e in Japanese Art

Sumi-e has been an important part of Japanese art for thousands of years. And today, it’s practiced by both emerging and established artists. Sumi-e is seen as a gateway into more complex forms of Japanese art, like watercolor or traditional painting. The disciplines overlap, but they also represent different ways of seeing and creating. Many artists who specialize in sumi-e also practice other forms of painting. And they’ll often cross over as well. If you see a piece of art that uses watercolor, for example, and it also features bold, spontaneous brushstrokes, it’s likely that artist practices sumi-e.

Conclusion

Sumi-e is a type of Japanese ink painting that has its roots in calligraphy. In fact, the first ever examples of sumi-e were simply calligraphic brushstrokes on paper. As time went on, however, sumi-e developed into a more distinct style of art, with a specific set of rules and techniques. Sumi-e has been an important part of Japanese art for thousands of years. And today, it’s practiced by both emerging and established artists. Artists who specialize in sumi-e also practice other forms of painting, and often cross over as well.