Traditional styles of Japanese painting, or "Nihon-ga," incorporated natural and spiritual elements, portrayed with the use of broad, calligraphic brush strokes of ink and water. Zen Buddhism was a strong influence, as well as elements from nature, including landscapes, trees and birds. Most painting styles put an emphasis on simplistic and elegant compositional layouts.
Sumi-e
Sumi-e painting originated in Zen Buddhism over 2,000 years ago. This spiritual form of painting is simplistic, with an emphasis on clarity, discipline and concentration to create a painting that represents harmony and elegance. Painters achieve a deep contemplative state of mind before beginning a Sumi-e painting. In Sumi-e, the painter's goal is to capture the spiritual essence and life spirit, or "Chi" of the subject matter. Things found in nature, such as bamboo, fish, birds and landscapes are typical subject matter. Sumi-e is created with black ink on rice paper. The style has brush strokes similar to calligraphy, so many artists learn calligraphy before learning Sumi-e, in order to gain an understanding of basic brush strokes before attempting their first painting.
Yamato-e
The Yamato-e style developed in the ninth century. It translates as "Japanese pictures," to differentiate it from Chinese Kara-e, which means "Chinese pictures." Zen Buddhism inspired it, with nature as its primary subject matter. Yamato-e subject matter is influenced by literature, famous places, nature and the four seasons. Striking colors and flat picture planes make up the compositions. Black outlines and flat, bright colors are used in painting the subjects. Many paintings are decorated with poems. Figures within the composition are often accented with gold pigments.
Rimpa
The Rimpa style originated in the 17th century. Rimpa translates to "school of Korin," so named after the 19th-century artist Ogata Korin. Rimpa is highly decorative painting on surfaces such as hand scrolls, fans and folding screens. Flowers and birds are the main subject matter, with backgrounds filled in with gold and silver. The Rimpa style is also used on craft items such as ceramics. Rimpa compositions are strong and simple, with an emphasis on the arrangement of space.
Bunjinga
Bunjinga, otherwise referred to as nanga, means "southern painting." Bunjinga appeared as a style of painting in the 18th century in China. The Japanese were influenced by this style of painting through imported paintings and woodblocks from China, and were taught the style by Zen priests. This type of painting is more personally expressive, created by scholarly people from all levels of society as a hobby. Subject matter varies between nature-inspired landscapes, plants and flowers to decorative and figural subjects. The ink paintings have strong composition and patterned brushstrokes that create surface textures.
