Looking to Japan for artistic inspiration
Since I have been back from Japan, I have made some new additions to my art curriculum, incorporating Japanese art materials and methods. Some of what my students have done is of a traditional nature, and some are variations of classic art forms.
I brought back sumi-e (ink brush painting) materials from Japan:
an ink stone, ink stick, bamboo brushes, a paper weight in the form of the Tengu (goblin) with a long nose, washi (paper), liquid sumi ink, kanji seals and red ink pads.
I showed my 6th grade students examples of brush paintings, both from Japan and China. We discussed how the paintings reflect the power of nature and the insignificance of humankind in the face of this power. I discussed the phrase “ichi-go, ichi-e”, which means that time is fleeting and we should cherish and respect each moment. They then tried their hand at brush paintings of spring branches of cherry blossoms and magnolia flowers. When they finished their paintings they used the red ink and seals to put their ‘signature’ on their finished piece of art. I showed them how to make their own seals using art gum erasers and red markers.
We have also done relief printmaking, created Mon (family crest) noren (small banners) sewn from felt, different methods of puppet making inspired by Bunraku puppetry, created an interdisciplinary performance of a Japanese folk tale about the Tengu Children and created cut paper collages of Japanese proverbs. I’ve posted some examples of their work.
I brought back sumi-e (ink brush painting) materials from Japan:
an ink stone, ink stick, bamboo brushes, a paper weight in the form of the Tengu (goblin) with a long nose, washi (paper), liquid sumi ink, kanji seals and red ink pads.
I showed my 6th grade students examples of brush paintings, both from Japan and China. We discussed how the paintings reflect the power of nature and the insignificance of humankind in the face of this power. I discussed the phrase “ichi-go, ichi-e”, which means that time is fleeting and we should cherish and respect each moment. They then tried their hand at brush paintings of spring branches of cherry blossoms and magnolia flowers. When they finished their paintings they used the red ink and seals to put their ‘signature’ on their finished piece of art. I showed them how to make their own seals using art gum erasers and red markers.
We have also done relief printmaking, created Mon (family crest) noren (small banners) sewn from felt, different methods of puppet making inspired by Bunraku puppetry, created an interdisciplinary performance of a Japanese folk tale about the Tengu Children and created cut paper collages of Japanese proverbs. I’ve posted some examples of their work.
posted by Melissa at 7:05 PM
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