Japanese Ink Painting: Lessons in Suiboku Technique (Paperback)

~ Ryukyu Saito (Author) "Suiboku cannot be readily compared to Western painting, for its techniques and its philosophy are uniquely Oriental..." (more)
Key Phrases: suiboku painting, black sumi, four gentlemen

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Here is a book to teach the beginner the fundamental techniques of suiboku, the unique form of Oriental art that has produced some of the world's finest masterpieces of ink-painting. Originating in China and having its spiritual basis in Zen Buddhism, this form of expressing nature's colors through shades of black ink monochrome has been enjoyed throughout the centuries in the Orient as a hobby for the amateur.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804832609
• ISBN-13: 978-0804832601
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #367,604 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Suiboko Book you'll need!, February 16, 2002

By	D. Mandaro (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the best book out there on the market,originally published in 1959,this book has remained a classic.You will be taken on an intriguing journey led by Ryukyu Saito.If your a beginner or an expert this book will be not only be your teacher but your friend which will patiently guide you in the Suiboko Technique.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Suiboku, November 19, 2006

By	mommacass "mommacass" (Palmyra, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This book is designed for beginners to learn the art of Suiboku; teaching about the tools used, the basics (inlcuding the four main traditional topics), and continuing with well-illustrated lessons. It even includes a bit of history. The book is well written, easy to understand, and does not 'talk down' to the reader.

While ink and wash painting did develop first in China in the seventh century, it was introduced to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks in the fourteenth century and evolved to differ somewhat from similar techniques in other parts of Asia (including those in China). Chinese ink and water is often more literal, depicting landscapes with realistic textures and details whereas Japanese ink and water emphasizes the soul rather than realism.

To seriousthinker, I appreciate your desire to set the record straight, but you are mistaken. Suiboku and Sumi-e are the pronunciations of the Japanese words for ink and water painting and Japanese ink and water painting does, indeed, exist. The techniques originated in China, but have evolved many characteristics unique to Japanese style just as watercolor painting in the west has evolved characteristics unique of watercolor painting as it originated in China. Yet, study of western watercolor painting would not accurately depict its origins in China just as study of Japanese ink and wash painting would not accurately depict its originis in China.

As for Nihonga, that is a very specific type of watercolor painting using colored mineral pigments called Iwa Enogu. It is yet another Japanese evolution of watercolor painting (which originated in China even before ink and wash painting). Yes, ink and wash painting originated in China, but Japanese ink and wash is not the same thing as Chinese ink and wash and the two should be studied as separate and unique. This book is a great place to start.

18 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Ink-Painting, April 18, 2003

By	"seriousthinker" (USA) - See all my reviews

"Japanese Ink-Painting" or "Sumie" is something that does not exist.

Suiboku is the Kanji pronunciation of two Chinese characters -- means water and ink. It's another name for Chinese National Painting --Guohwa.

The whole thing is Chinese.

Japanese painting is actually "Nihonga." It's very different from Chinese painting.

The title should be "Chinese Traditional Painting brought to you by Saito."