墨絵 | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge

2021-12-132021-12-13

The difference between RYUJIN (龍神) and Dragon

The difference between 龍(Ryu) and Dragon

I started painting 龍(Ryu) and now I am attracted to 龍(Ryu）.

When we try to translate 龍(Ryu) into English, it is often said “dragon”.

However, dragons in European countries and 龍(Ryu) in Eastern countries like Japan are totally different.

In eastern countries and Japan, 龍(Ryu) is called “RYUJIN” and it is a god.

On the other hand, in European countries, dragon is a bad evil creature.

They look alike but they are not the same.

Dragon has wings and its face is more like a lizard, on the other hand, RYUJIN’s face is more like a snake.

What is in common is, they are both imaginary reptile creatures.

Personally, I like Japanese RYUJIN better, as RYUJIN has a longer body and looks cool.

Japanese RYUJIN can often be seen at temples or shrines.

At the entrance of temples and shrines, there is a water running spot, called “Temizusha”(手水舎).

This is a place to cleanse our hands and mouth before entering temples and shrines.

There, you can see water is running from RYUJIN’s mouth.

RYUJIN has been believed to be a god which brings rain and brings good harvest.

We see many Kakejiku paintings of RYUJIN going up to the sky, surrounded with rain clouds which RYUJIN created by itself.

There is also a sacred ball which RYUJIN holds.

It is called “Cintamani stone”, which makes your dream come true.

RYUJIN god is a very precious, good luck symbol.

That is why we have RYUJIN god Kakejiku hanging scrolls hung in the house since ancient times.

By the way, why does good luck god have that scary face…?

Hanging RYUJIN Kakejiku hanging scroll doesn’t make kids get scared at night…?

But there is a reasonable reason.

In order to fight and get away the evil spirit, RYUJIN has such a scary face.

Same as Tiger Kakejiku.

We often see Tiger glared at us with its powerful scary eyes on Kakejiku.

That is to fight and get away the evil spirit.

Anyway, I am attracted to RYUJIN,

and my RYUJIN art is increasing little by little…

“RYUJIN god is a god of water. Human beings cannot live without water. That means we human cannot live without RYUJIN god.”

Drawing RYUJIN god is a great practice of life for me.

RYUJIN dragon Suibokuga painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga painting board art

Kimono silk Kakejiku of RYUJIN Dragon Suibokuga art

2021-04-212021-04-23

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGA 水墨画

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGO 水墨画

Suibokuga (水墨画)- Japanese traditional painting art

Suibokuga is sometimes called Zen Painting.

Sumie is painting with ink.

And Suibokuga is one of Sumie painting, with the gradation of dark black to light black.

Main tool for Suibokuga, “Sumi ink” is made from mainly soot, animal glue, and perfume.

We add a little water into an inkstone (suzuri) and rub sumi ink, it becomes dark black color.

By mixing this black ink with water, we can create the gradation color of black to light grey.

mixing ink with water to make gradation color

In Japan, Suibokuga is not just about paintings drawn with only ink, but we include some colored paintings drawn with mainly ink and some pigments also.

Sumie: The way of painting with ink was already in Japan since Nara period (710 – 794).

And Suibokuga style was brought in Japan at around Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), then became very popular especially at around Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), as Suibokuga style paintings were deeply connected with ZEN temples.

Until 14C, the subjects of Suibokuga were humans called “Jinbutsu ga” (人物画) , and flowers and birds called “Kacho ga” (花鳥画).

In 15C, “Sansuiga”(山水画) , meaning “mountains and water paintings” became popular.

Subjects of this Sansuiga is nature, such as mountains and water falls, rocks, trees etc.

I love to paint Japanese nature and symbols in Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry trees, bamboo tees, pine trees, Mt. Fuji, crane birds, and koi fish.

Sometimes tigers and Ryujin dragon god as well.

Tigers and Ryujin dragon god are also very popular subjects for Suibokuga.

I love to express Japanese beauty with the amazing gradation of ink with some colors.

That is my Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry blossoms painting art Kimono silk kakejiku

Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

Extra-large Mt.Fuji and Japanese Pine tree hanging scroll, Impressive landscape ZEN style wall decor

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi Japanese painting Mt. Fuji, crane birds, pine tree wall decor

Japanese painting calligraphy art Kakejiku style wall decoration — Japanese painting of Koi fish in ZEN circle, Enso

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane birds, Mt.Fuji, Japanese pine tree

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll

2020-09-232021-03-28

Sensitivity of Japanese painting, Ink painting art “墨絵(Sumie)”

Japanese painting calligraphy Ink art Kakejiku wall decor ZEN circle with Mt Fuji and bamboo

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor

When I started doing calligraphy again, I did not think about painting.

Ink painting (墨絵 Sumie) is well known in Japan, and my grandmother used to do Ink painting art, so it was familiar to me too.

Plus I liked painting since I was small.

But my experience was only oil painting, and no Ink painting art experience.

When I started painting using ink, I realized how deep and intricate Ink painting art was.

Only using water and ink, gradation of black color to thin grey color can create amazing picture.

I was amazed by its simplicity yet, beauty and sensitivity.

The smell of ink is relaxing too.

I started drawing bamboo first.

Bamboo is the Japanese symbolic trees and great theme for meditation.

Then I received the request from customers.

“Can you draw Koi fish?”

I started drawing Koi fish, and found out this was more fun.

Koi fish is the symbol of Japanese beauty, and is believed to bring us a good luck.

I really love painting Koi fish.

Now my drawing themes are more.

Mt. Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms, Pine trees, crane birds, etc., all expressing Japanese beauty.

When I draw more of these themes, I find more of Japanese beauty.

And I realize how grateful I am, as being a Japanese, being connected with Japanese culture and beauty.