The pinnacle of Japanese sumi-e painting, from great masters such as Sesshū and Tohaku to fantastical painters such as Shoūhaku and Jakuchū. 

Sumi-e ink painting is a uniquely Eastern form of painting that originated and developed in China in the 9th century. This book introduces the history of sumi-e painting over a period of approximately 500 years, beginning with the Kamakura and Namboku-cho periods when the form was first being adopted in Japan , and then the Muromachi period when Sesshū and Shūbun were active, and finally the Momoyama and Edo periods when Japanese influences led to the creation of unique works. 

This book introduces five centuries of ink wash painting through these works, exploring the distinctive qualities of Japanese ink wash painting and considering the role it has played in the history of art in Japan and its significance in the history of Japanese culture.