Tawaraya Sotatsu (俵屋宗達), the grandfather of the Rinpa (琳派) school, invented the tarashikomi (たらし込み) technique, a technique where ink or pigment is dropped onto a still-wet surface so the colors bleed and blend naturally. With this technique, he transformed the often opulent, gold-and-silver adorned image of Rinpa with his own unique innovations. ‘Sotatsu’s black’ is truly a testament to his creativity and experimentation. In this article, we explore five secrets behind the distinctive style of Sotatsu’s ink paintings—elements essential to understanding his artistic genius.
Secret 1: The original ‘Kawaii’!
Sotatsu’s charming little puppy. The full painting is shown at the end!
Recently, adorable characters have been gaining attention in Japanese art. But long before today’s trends, Sotatsu was capturing the innocent charm of animals in a way that makes him a true pioneer of cuteness. In his ink painting of a puppy—with the eyes, ears, and legs left unpainted for effect—the little creature appears to be eagerly searching for something, ready to spring into motion at any moment. The warmth of Sotatsu’s gaze towards animals is evident in every brushstroke.
Secret 2: What is tarashikomi?
Tarashikomi refers to a technique where a second layer of ink, often of a different shade, is applied before the first layer has dried. This results in natural, organic blending that creates depth and texture. The method produces beautiful gradations and a sense of dimensionality. You can see this technique used in the clouds beneath the thunder god in Sotatsu’s masterpiece Fujin Raijin-zu Byobu (風神雷神図屏風, The Wind and Thunder Gods Folding Screen).
This technique, pioneered by Sotatsu, was also applied using pigments and became a defining feature of Rinpa painting, passed down through generations of Edo-period artists.
Secret 3: A love for animals
Sotatsu is said to have been an animal lover. From the softly whimpering puppy in ‘Inu-zu’ (犬図) to the powerful presence of the ox in Ushi-zu (牛図), his depictions of creatures such as deer, elephants, ducks, and egrets demonstrate both keen observation and deep affection. His paintings convey a unique sensitivity, capturing the essence of each animal with warmth and respect.
Secret 4: The origins of decorative art
Sotatsu originally ran a highly regarded fan shop in Kyoto, and it was from fan painting that he rose to become one of Japan’s great masters—a rare trajectory. This foundation in decorative craftwork gave rise to the Rinpa school’s exceptional accomplishments in the field of decorative arts.
One of Sotatsu’s most notable works is the Scattered Fans Folding Screen, a collage of painted fans. Through these images, one can sense both a yearning for the elegance of the imperial court and the refinement of his brush technique.
Secret 5: The beauty of negative space
The painting ‘Inu-zu’, originally a hanging scroll from the Edo period, showcases a bold and innovative use of composition, with negative space used to striking effect. In hanging scrolls, the top portion is often left blank for inscriptions or poetry. While that might also be the case here, it is believed that Sotatsu intentionally employed the empty space to enhance the visual impact of the work.
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/rock/art-rock/2089/
