“Sumie”, Japanese ink wash painting has a long, deep, and storied history.
Beginning in China in 唐, the Tang dynasty (618-607), different techniques and styles continued to develop during 宋, the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and eventually spread to Japan in the Muromachi era (1338-1573).
Sumie artists employing one of the more traditional styles of using monotone black ink take advantage of a variety of methods to enhance their artistic creations. By applying different brushstrokes, changing the density of ink and the amount of water in the brush application as well as taking advantage of unique features of specific types of drawing paper, such as Gasen-shi or Washi, artists can add stylistic variation to their ink wash paintings.
One of the earliest and probably most famous Japanese Ink wash painters was 雪舟, Sessyu.
His artwork and techniques influenced Japanese Ink wash painting and helped develop unique styles in Japan.
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