haboku

Haboku is a Japanese painting style, also known as suiboku-ga or sumi-e, which translates to "splashed-ink." This technique originated in China and was introduced to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks in the mid-14th century.1

Haboku paintings are characterized by their bold use of black ink strokes and washes, aiming to capture the essential nature of the subject by eliminating extraneous details. This approach aligns with the principles of Zen Buddhism, emphasizing spontaneity and intuitive understanding.1

The style reached its peak during Japan's Muromachi period (1338–1573) with artists like Sesshū Tōyō, who created uniquely Japanese landscapes using this technique. While haboku was popular for centuries, it eventually became more formalistic, losing some of its original spontaneity.1