2022 Volume 54 Issue 1 Pages 217-224
After the revision of courses of study in 2008, sumi ink painting expression has begun to be taught at compulsory schools in Japan, however until this time, since WWII it has never been organized methodologically. Therefore, this revision became the first opportunity to establish education relating to sumi in schools since the Meiji period. Due to more than 100 years having passed after pencils and western paper became predominant over sumi, confusion among art teachers has been expected. In this paper, firstly, the author surveys 243 secondary school art teachers in Tokyo to clarify what and how they taught in 2019 and verifies the efficiency of studying sumi techniques within art classes. Secondly, Meiji period brush technique education is investigated to compare with contemporary ones. Throughout this comparison inappropriate selection of materials and understanding are found, therefore, the author integrates both traditional and contemporary ideas and examines them through practice and interviewing students. These facts indicate that it is crucial to acknowledge and adjust sumi related materials to make them applicable for upcoming Japanese traditional painting education.
