The oriental style of Sumi-E is an unique school of interplay of light and darkness, space and ink. It's simplification of natural shapes forces one to discover new facets of expression, allows one to see subjects in different light, just as the multicultural atmosphere in Canada allows us to enriche the vision of nature.
A brush painting style, using so called ink-wash methods Suiboku-ga has been developed by Chinese artists Su Shih and Mi Fu, and flourished in the time of Sung dynasty (960 - 1279).
This style has been introduced to Japan from China with the Zen Budhism between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. It has been modified as an art in the Muromichi period (1392 - 1572).
By the middle of the Edo era, around 1750, the ink line-drawing - Sumi-e -replaced the ink-wash methods.
At present, the people who love simplicity of artistic expression, enjoy the art of Sumi-e painting.
