Artistic expression in Japan: sumi-e, kabuki, noh, and more
Artistic Expression in Japan: Sumi-e, Kabuki, Noh, and More Have you ever been curious about the various forms of art in Japan? After all, since the Land of the Rising Sun has one of the oldest continuously-existing cultures in the world, surely it must offer unique forms of artistic expression. Indeed, Japan has many forms of traditional arts and crafts, ranging from the very familiar sumi-e ink-wash painting, to the less-known but equally compelling plays of kabuki and noh. In this article, we'll explore the various artistic expression found in Japan, and why it's distinctive from other cultures around the world. What is Sumi-e? Perhaps one of the most common and most recognizable forms of art associated with Japan is the sumi-e ink-wash painting. Originating in China sometime during the 8th century and brought to Japan by Buddhist monks, the purpose of sumi-e is actually to depict a spiritual view of the world , which ties in with the various Zen-themed teachings and beli...