Chapter 3-“How’s that for a coincidence?”
PART I – Hot Springs Island, BC, Canada
Chapter 3 iNovel Link
“How’s that for a coincidence?”This iNovel link is a large, full-color rendition (and a description in the artist’s own words about Nihonga – traditional Japanese painting) of Kiriko’s Silent Solitude. If you choose, you can actually buy originals of other Nihonga painting by this talented Japanese artist by going to the Studio section of this website [Add link].
Silent Solitude
The title of this painting is Japanese is Jakujo, a Buddhist term relating to a particular state of the heart after a time of sadness. I painted this after an event of sadness had visited my own life, the passing of a loved one. This painting represents the ability of humans to transcend pain and sadness. Mountains stand firm and unyielding despite whatever harsh conditions nature chooses to bring. At the foot of the mountain, lovely spring flowers bloom, telling us that life - whether for humans or other beings - is a cycle that repeats and repeats itself, regardless of whatever has come before. Silent Solitude was awarded first place (Mayor's Trophy) among the approximately 250 entrants at the Kumamoto Art Show in fall, 2001.
Size: 53.0cm x 45.5cm
Price: Not for sale
What is Nihonga?
The word Nihonga comes from a combination of two Japanese words, Nihon, which means “Japan” and Ga, which means “painting.” Nihonga, therefore, is most often translated as “traditional Japanese painting.”
The medium itself is thousands of years old, and although it has undergone changes and transformation over the years like most painting, the techniques themselves have changed little over time.
The main features of Nihonga are its use of powdered, organic mineral pigments instead of oils, bound to Japanese parchment with a unique, natural glue. Also notice the artist’s seal in red in one corner of the painting with the artist’s signature.
The lack of perspective is another feature of Nihonga with the artist attempting to portray their subject is a style that could be considered “flat” by western standards. Also, the use of negative space is very key and these two factors combine and work together to create the overall mood.
Pigments
The pigments used in Nihonga are quite unique and are one of its most interesting aspects.
The pigments are made from ground-up, powdered minerals. In the past, artists used to grind their own pigments and then, as now, the mineral sources are very interesting.
Examples would be the white that comes from ground sea shells, which might be mixed with whitewash or the silver from mother of pearl. Actual gold and silver are also used and you might also find ground sapphire or even platinum to add luster.
In recent times, as artists become more experimental, painted glass might even be ground to create new and exciting colors and textures.
Paper, Canvas, and Other Materials
You might find Nihonga painted on a number of different kinds of materials, particularly paintings done in recent years. Nihonga might be painted on canvas, canvas-board or other canvas-like materials - or even silk.
More traditionally, however, Nihonga would most likely have been painted on Japanese-style paper or paperboard that was made from the pulp of either hemp, the paper mulberry, (which is called mashi) or from the bark of a clove-like bush or another similar bush called mitsumata, which creates a kind of paper called torinoko.
Brushes
Most brushes are made from sheep’s wool although horse hair and deer hair is also used. The size of the brush would depend on the size of the work and the purpose (i.e. background vs. detail).
Themes
The themes for Nihonga are varied and have changed over time. Traditions of Nihonga include seasonal themes, often represented by animals or flowers that bloom in a particular season, much like in haiku.
Nihonga were also once used to depict historical scenes. But times change, and so do styles. Although there are still numerous members of the old school of traditional themes, more modern, more adventurous Nihonga artists treat life, the world, dreams - and anything else imaginable - as their themes.
Click here to go to Kiriko's Gallery
Back to the Chapter by Chapter iNovel Links page
back to top
Comments
Leave a Comment or Submit Material
Your input will be submitted to the site owner for approval before it will be visible to the public.
Be the first to leave a comment.