Sumi-e Landscape in Three Weeks

32 pages, Oversized book, measuring 8 1/4 by 11 3/4 inches. Cover has some wear., Includes information on Sumi-e and Zen, Sumi-e and "White Space," Painting Trees, Painting Tree Leaves, Depicting Mountain Ridges and Rocks, Rock Composition, Painting Mountains, Painting Practice (Mt. Fuji, Village on a Shore, Stream, Clear Mountains, View of Naples, View of Segovia, Shores of Etretat, New York, Mt. Asama, Lake, Paris, Central Park New York, and Examples of Sumi-e. The Society was created in New York in 1963 by Professor Motoi Oi to foster and encourage an appreciation of East Asian brush painting. For the initial fifteen years (1963-1978) its annual exhibitions were held in New York City. Over the years, the Society has grown and there are many chapters in the United States and a sister organization in Canada. The author was born in Gifu, Japan, in 1915, and graduated from the Tokyo Fine Arts University in 1937. He studied sumi-e under the famous Japanese painters, Somei Yuki and Gyokudo Kawai. He also has served as the President of the Japan Sumi-e Association. The Japanese term "sumi" means "black ink", "e" means "painting". It indicates one of the art forms in which subjects are painted with black ink in all possible gradations ranging pure black to the lightest shades achievable by dissolving ink in water. However, this does not mean that everything painted in this way deserves to be called sumi-e. Real sumi-e must correspond to typical features, such as simplicity and spontaneity that directly strike the viewers' sensibility. In order for a painting to be "alive", all its components must be alive. This type of painting already includes the sketch; there is no need for preparation, as in traditional painting; any superfluous form or detail is left out. This way of painting was introduced into Japan by Zen monks and it then became rapidly successful because in this painting-method, as in Zen practice, reality is expressed by reducing it to its pure, bare form. Sumi-e materials Rice paper is found in various varieties of thickness, consistency, absorption, texture, etc. To get started, we suggest using one with the least absorbency and of average size (24.5 cm x33 cm). Brushes are all made of natural bristle (horse, badger, goat, ox, weasel, etc.). They vary in shape, size, length and bristle type. Generally, they can be classified according to brush length, as large, medium or small, and according to bristle length, as long, medium or short. For beginners, it is advisable to use brushes that have a mixture of both soft and stiff bristles. They are the easiest to use and hold the ink well (average bristle length: 4.5 - 5.5 cm). When you've finished painting, you need to wash the brush at once with cold water, dry it and hang it up in a dry place. China ink comes in bars made of soot from natural pine resin or rape-seed oil mixed with glue extracted from hide. The China ink bars are dissolved with water while rubbing them on a special stone known as a SUZURI. Ink stone (Suzuri) It is usually rectangular, includes surfaces on which SUMI ink is rubbed, and has a small area which holds water. To prepare the ink, you fill this area approximately two thirds full with water, then you dip the bar, bringing a little water along with it to the surface of the stone and start rubbing with a circular movement; the movement has to be clean, constant and vigorous, without exerting excessive pressure.…