Suminagashi: Japanese Marbling Art
Discover the mesmerizing Japanese art of floating ink on water to create one-of-a-kind patterns
Discover the timeless beauty of Suminagashi(墨流し), the ancient Japanese art of marbling. Originating in Japan more than 800 years ago, Suminagashi literally means “floating ink.” This elegant technique was first enjoyed in the Heian period (794–1185) as a courtly pastime, where artists and nobles would marvel at the delicate, ever-changing patterns created on water.
In this class, you will learn how to gently drop ink onto the surface of water and guide the ripples with your breath, brushes, or even the subtlest movements of air. The resulting designs are then transferred onto washi paper and even onto fabric items such as handkerchiefs, creating one-of-a-kind works of art.
Because the process is simple, the class is fun for a variety of ages and skill levels. Each print captures a fleeting moment, never to be repeated, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of impermanence and beauty in transience. Children aged 8 and above are also welcome to participate.
Whether you are interested in traditional arts, meditation through creative practice, or simply wish to explore a new form of expression, this class offers a unique opportunity to connect with history while creating your own modern interpretations of this ancient craft.
PRICE
$50 / person
DURATION
1 hours
LOCATION
91 E 3rd street, New York, NY 10003
About the Instructor
Kohfu Furukawa
Kohfu Furukawa 古川香風 (a.k.a. Ayakoh Furukawa-Leonart) is a New York based visual artist originally from Japan. Her practice bridges traditional Japanese art and Western art, shaped by a unique cross-cultural background.
She has practiced calligraphy since early age with Calligrapher Nakamura Goseki（中村悟石）, Buddhist Munk Kashimoto Sougyu（樫本桑牛）and later studied Sumie with Sumi-e Master Shibuta Tenyu（澁田天游）. After relocating to the United States, she deepens her engagement with sumi-e through exchanges with American Sumi-e artists and her involvement with the Metro New York Sumi-e Society.
Kohfu has taught sumi-e at RESOBOX, Kennedy International School, the Japan Society, and Brooklyn Museum of Art, as well as in corporate cultural workshops and programs introducing Japanese Sumi-e to broader audiences. Drawing on both Eastern and Western art traditions, she has developed an understanding of effective approaches to teaching to American students. She continues to expand the possibilities of Sumi-e as a contemporary art form.
She earned a Master of Fine Art in Studio Art from Hunter College, City University of New York, where she also studied Asian Art History and Buddhism. In addition to her practice in sumi-e, she is active as a multidisciplinary artist and continues to expand the possibilities of Sumi-e as a contemporary art form. Her contemporary art works have been exhibited internationally.
She currently serves as President of the Japanese Artists Association of New York, Inc.
