Swamp Buddha Sumi-e

Asian-Style Art

sumi-e
an expression of heart and spirit
reaching into the soul
  -Mary Beth Zeni

The Art: Moonlit shadows on a shoji screen

Sumi-e (Japanese for "ink painting") is a centuries-old art that evolved from calligraphy in China and eventually spread to Japan. There monks sought to capture the essence (chi or life force) of their subjects rather than give exact representations of them.

The tools for sumi-e, called the "treasures" consist of an ink stick made of soot and glue that is ground on a black stone and mixed with water to create the ink. Brushes are made from bamboo and animal hair. The "rice" paper is not made of rice but instead of natural fibers. Beginners usually start with these simple tools and expand later to color and varied papers. Once a painting is complete, the artist signs the piece and adds a red chop mark that can be the artist's name or words of wisdom done in Asian characters.

Beginning subjects for students are the "four gentlemen"--bamboo, wild orchid, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom. Students practice these subjects first to accustom themselves to the art and the tools.