The Philosophy of Suminagashi for Hailey:
Embracing Impermanence and the Flow of Life
Embracing Impermanence and the Flow of Life
What is Suminagashi?
Suminagashi (墨流し), meaning "ink floating" in Japanese, is a traditional art form that originated in Japan during the 12th century. It involves floating ink on water to create beautiful, swirling designs. These temporary patterns are then captured on paper or fabric, preserving a unique moment in time.
Over the years, artists have expanded their techniques, using not only traditional Sumi-e inks but also acrylic paints. This allows for a wider range of vibrant patterns. By applying principles of fluid mechanics, they manipulate the floating pigments to produce everything from intricate designs to images of landscapes or animals.
Suminagashi shares similarities with other marbling techniques, like Ebru from Turkey, demonstrating its universal appeal across cultures.
As I immersed myself in the world of Suminagashi, it began to serve as a form of meditation, the fluid and unpredictable process of floating ink on water taught me to embrace uncertainty and live in the moment.
Suminagashi inspired me to reflect on the balance of positive and negative thoughts, much like Yin and Yang. Our thoughts and emotions flow within us like ink on water, coming and going. We have the power to create our own positivity and negativity, choosing to hold onto them tightly or let them release naturally. As the masters of our minds, we begin with a pure, clean slate and we are initially free and empty.
