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Discover the pinnacle of Japanese sumi-e ink painting from iconic masters to imaginative visionaries.
Sumi-e, or ink wash painting, is a uniquely Eastern art form that originated in China in the 9th century and evolved into one of Japan’s most expressive and philosophical visual traditions. This beautifully curated volume traces the 500-year history of Japanese sumi-e, highlighting its origins and transformation across major historical eras.
Explore works by legendary painters such as:
Sesshū Tōyō the towering figure of Muromachi-period ink art
Kano Tanyu and Shubun masters of refinement and elegance
Hasegawa Tōhaku – known for serene, atmospheric landscapes
Soga Shōhaku – eccentric and powerful, with a bold, expressive touch
Itō Jakuchū – famous for fantastical flourishes and imaginative reinterpretations
This book begins in the Kamakura and Namboku-chō periods, when sumi-e was first introduced to Japan, and journeys through the flourishing of the art in the Muromachi period, when it reached new aesthetic heights. It also explores how different schools and individual painters brought their own spirit to the medium whether meditative and monochrome or dynamic and dreamlike.