What is Sumi-e?
“If we study Japanese art, we see a man who is undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent, who spends his time doing what? …
He studies a single blade of grass.”
-Vincent van Gogh
Sumi-e, also called Suibokuga, is the art of ink wash-painting. Characteristically, it is an East Asian art, and has been practiced there for well over a thousand years. Sumi-e depicts the spirit or essence of an object or scene rather than its outward appearance — and does so in the fewest possible strokes. Because of this simplicity, the painter’s character and personality come through in his/her work. In both viewing and creating, Sumi-e is a very contemplative form of painting.
In this class at RESOBOX, a Japanese cultural center in New York, all students will start from the basics of ink-wash painting, such as how to hold a brush. All materials such as ink, brushes, calligraphy paper, etc. will be provided for the students.
RESOBOX offers Sumi-e classes at three locations. Please see below to find the times and locations of each.
RESOBOX LIC
41-26 27th street, LIC, NY 11101
Instructor Taisan Tanaka
Every Monday
8:00pm – 9:15pm
Instructor Ayakoh Furukawa
Every Wednesday
7:30 pm – 8:45 pm
RESOBOX East Village
91 E 3rd street, New York, NY 10003
Instructor Taisan Tanaka
Every Tuesday
7:30 pm – 8:45 pm
**PLEASE NOTE: The class sign up deadline is 4 hours before the class begins. Cancellation after this period will NOT be refunded.**
Promotional Campaign for RESOBOX’s “Make Your Own Japanese Writing T-Shirt class”
The first two people who sign up for each Wednesday’s Ink Painting class will be given a T-shirt and experience a little of our new “Make Your Own Japanese Writing T-Shirt class”.
Toward the end of the Sumi-e classes, participants can request a word they would like on the T-shirt, and the instructor will write the translated Japanese characters on it.
T-shirts with writings are washable and you can enjoy wearing your own one-of-a kind T-shirt!
Gallery
About the Instructor
Taisan Tanaka (Mondays and Tuesdays)
Calligrapher
Taisan Tanaka is a contemporary Japanese artist. He specializes in the fushion of drawing calligraphy. His works have been performanced in U.S.Department of Defense in Japan, and Klingspor Museum (Museum of contemporary calligraphy) in Germany among others.
Tanaka is teaching the classes on Mondays at the RESOBOX Gallery & Cafe location.
Ayakoh Furukawa (Wednesdays)
Visual Artist
Ayakoh Furukawa (a.k.a Ayakoh Furukawa-Leonart) is a visual artist with a unique background who has mastered Japanese calligraphy and western painting. She studied with Buddhist calligrapher Sougyu Kashimoto in Osaka, Japan. Currently, she is a member of the Metro New York Sumi-e Society. Besides the RESOBOX Sumi-e class, she had numerous teaching experiences at educational and cultural institutions such as Lyceum Kennedy Japanese School and the Japan Society Summer program. She also taught Sumi-e at numerous events to help in the public in the understanding of Japanese culture. She moved to New York in 2000 and studied Asian Art History at Hunter College, the City University of New York where she received the Master of Fine Art of Studio Art. Her paintings and drawings have been exhibited internationally at numerous established art institutions. Her deep knowledge of both Western and Asian Arts offers an enjoyable experience of Japanese art of Sumi-e.
Furukawa is teaching the classes on Wednesdays at the RESOBOX LIC location.
