Sumi-e Path of Study


Shuhari (守破離);
Three Generations
Shozo Sato, Student and Patricia Larkin Green
at The Japanese Culture Center

The Rinzai Method: The tradition of teaching Asian ink painting from teacher to student moves in a continuum. You learn hand to hand, passing generations of knowledge through subtle movements of the brush into the future. By teaching, my intention is to break down barriers and open up each student’s creativity to new levels. I am honored to pass on this tradition.”

Shuhari (守破離) path* of learning to mastery (*Tea Ceremony, Shodo, Sumi-e, Martial Arts, Zen).

  • shu (守) “protect”, “obey”—traditional wisdom—learning fundamentals, techniques, heuristics, proverbs, the vocabulary of Sumi-e strokes
  • ha (破) “detach”, “digress”—breaking with tradition—detachment from the illusions of self; this is a time for play, innovation, experimentation
  • ri (離) “leave”, “separate”—transcendence—No techniques per se, all moves are natural, kokoro (Heart/mind/spirit) becoming one with spirit alone without clinging to forms; transcending the physical; the creative flow where heart mind and spirit act in harmony

“Overflowing with gratitude to the generous artists and teachers that came before me, I pass on this knowledge by teaching Sumi-e at The Japanese Culture Center. I continue to study shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) under Oda Sensei and Zenga and Sumi-e with Shozo Sato Sensei (an internationally renowned Japanese master of Zen arts). “

Shozo Sato, Patricia Larkin Green and Earl Green; Sumi-e painting of Iris by Shozo Sato

As in life, if you make a mistake, you must go on, you cannot cover it up.”

“Sumi-e informs my painting; I begin with the meditative process, stretching to inhabit my subject matter and leaving the mark on paper with my impression. It is a lovely way to create.”

“Stanley-Jossem Sensei revealed painting as meditation to me. The sumi-e tradition of Asian ink painting from teacher to student moves in a continuum, with no end to the journey for truth. In sumi-e, the brush reveals your truth. The process is important. I learned hand to hand by observing her gracefully sway with her brush, dipping into her soul and tracing the ink like a gentle breath of life over delicate rice paper. I am honored to pass on this tradition.”

Ms. Larkin Green has won many awards for her work including the prestigious “Special Cultural Award ” 特別文化功労賞: from China New Ink Painting Institute Art Museum, Beijing, China, The Second Grand Prize for Ink Painting, 日本ならや本舗賞 Naraya Brush Award, 中国遼寧分会後援会賞 Award, and the Award of Excellence several years in a row from 国際中国書法国画家協会 ICCPS invitational exhibition at Jade Buddha Temple, LaioNing Province in AnShan City, China. Patricia’s work has been the subject of solo and two person exhibitions in the United States and has exhibited throughout the United States, and in Australia, China and Japan.

Copyright © Patricia Larkin Green