Learn Suiboku-ga Ink Painting Privately from a Kyoto Artist - Includes Matcha Sweets

A Special Experience in a Modern Japanese Mansion, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925 was originally the private residence of a copper processing company owner, constructed in 1925. Revamped by an up-and-coming designer, it is now a restaurant and wedding venue, with a forest designed to complement the unique slopes of Higashiyama on its sprawling grounds. Despite its central location in Higashiyama, a popular sightseeing area in Kyoto, stepping through the gate transports you to a serene world, away from the urban hustle and bustle.

The ceiling of the entrance is decorated with a gorgeous peacock design in Nishijin brocade

The entrance is decorated with a stunning Nishijin brocade featuring a peacock design by Jotaro Saito, a prominent kimono designer, inviting you into an extraordinary space. Copper and brass decorations, a nod to the resort's copper processing history, add sparkle to the premises.

Walk through the garden, past a river and pond, to reach the main building surrounded by lush greenery

Located within the main building, Kodaiji Kiwami offers an authentic French dining experience. The elegant restaurant features walls decorated with Jotaro Saito’s Nishijin brocade. This exclusive Wabunka experience will see Kiwami reserved just for you, for an ink painting lesson and elegant tea time. The restaurant staff will guide you through the highlights of the resort as you immerse yourself in a space steeped in over 100 years of tradition.

The backs of the chairs are also upholstered in Nishijin brocade by Jotaro Saito

Lecture on Maruyama-Shijo School Lineage by Isshu Mizushima, 9th Generation

Isshu Mizushima, the ninth-generation artist from the Maruyama-Shijo School of ink painting, will delve into the school's history and techniques, which had a significant impact on Japanese art from the late 17th to the 19th century. Apart from hosting solo exhibitions and teaching classes, Mizushima is actively involved in various endeavors, including media appearances and cultural property restoration. In this experience, you can explore ink painting of bamboo, a signature motif of the Maruyama-Shijo School, suitable even for beginners in ink painting.

Isshu Mizushima is dedicated to pursuing his favorite painter and painting style

In a lecture room, you will first learn about suiboku-ga ink painting, Japanese-style painting, and the Maruyama-Shijo School. This group of artists, known as the Kyoto Gatan (Kyoto School of Painting), was active in Kyoto from the 17th to 19th centuries and had a profound influence on subsequent generations of painters. Today, the painters of the Maruyama-Shijo School remain highly regarded for their contributions to the art world.

From Mizushima's words, you can also feel his passion for Japanese painting and ink painting

Mizushima, as the ninth generation of the Maruyama-Shijo School, expresses his gratitude, saying, "It's an honor to continue the legacy of the painters I admire and the painting style I aspire to." His classroom lectures, focusing on the basics of Japanese painting, provides a fulfilling learning opportunity.

An Authentic Suiboku-ga Lesson That Enhances Your Art Appreciation Skills

After the introduction to suiboku-ga, the hands-on lesson begins. Learn to draw simple designs featuring bamboo and other plants, which are beginner-friendly motifs, suitable even for those new to ink painting.

Suiboku-ga works (for reference only)

You will first prepare ink, appreciating its unique aroma as you focus on your task (the instructor may prepare the ink in advance). The brushes provided for this experience are different from those used in Japanese calligraphy, and are specifically designed for Japanese painting. Their unique water and ink retention properties take some getting used to, but with practice, you will become more adept. As you progress with your brush, start with light ink, then add a bit darker ink, followed by a darker shade polished with an inkstone. Practice drawing the kanji "一" (one) by gradually increasing the ink amount.

Polishing the ink gradually enhances concentration

Mizushima emphasizes the importance of using the entire arm, rather than just the wrist, to maneuver the brush. This technique, known as "unpitsu" in Japanese-style painting, is fundamental to ink painting. Through consistent practice, you can gradually achieve more lifelike and dynamic brushwork. 
Another highlight of the experience is the opportunity to observe Mizushima's ink painting demonstration up close, providing insights into the delicate brushstrokes and sketch-like expressions unique to the Maruyama-Shijo School.

At first, achieving the right level of blur and gradient with bamboo can be challenging

A Relaxing Tea Time with Uji Kyoto Sweets

After the session, enjoy a delightful tea time featuring a special selection of sweets curated by the renowned Kyoto-based Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten for Wabunka. Indulge in a serene moment that promises to soothe your soul and bring a smile to your face. With a history spanning 450 years, Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten is a well-known tea shop in Uji, celebrated for its beverage offerings. 
You can savor a set of Matcha Gateau Opera with tea from Salon de Kanbayashi, a café located within Akagane Resort, at the counter seat of Kodaiji Kiwami.

Enjoy tea and sweets in a special space

The Matcha Gateau Opera is a beloved offering from Salon de Kanbayashi, skillfully blending Japanese and Western tastes. Featuring the fragrant Biwa no Shiro matcha from Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten, the cake boasts harmonious layers of indulgent matcha and chocolate. Accompanying the cake, a special Wabunka-exclusive gyokuro green tea of the highest quality will be served.

Beautiful presentation inspired by dry landscape gardens, incorporating elements of the season (this image is only for reference)

Gyokuro, cultivated under shade to enhance its mild sweetness, offers a distinct flavor profile. Rather than serving it already brewed, you will experience the taste of freshly steeped tea from a teapot. You can relax and learn the art of tea-making with the provided instructions for brewing. Indulge in the perfect pairing of premium tea and sweets.

Experience Suiboku-ga While Embracing Kyoto

Suiboku-ga's charm lies in its tension-filled brush strokes. Mizushima reassures that mistakes are part of the hands-on experience, encouraging everyone to draw freely without fear. Each person's rendition of the same motif is unique, allowing for diverse expressions. Embrace the distinct texture and individuality that characterize your artwork.

A rare chance to learn directly from Isshu Mizushima

"Drawing requires technique, but observation is equally important," says Mizushima. When depicting plants and trees, observing the way leaves grow and how trees sway in the wind helps you capture details from daily life. After the experience, when you revisit renowned Japanese and ink paintings by famous artists, you might realize the challenge of capturing dynamism and essence. Cultivate your "ability to see," discerning the stories and depth within paintings, which can enrich your future appreciation of art.

Enjoy creating Kyoto-style art amidst the ambiance of Higashiyama

This experience offers a rare chance to learn suiboku-ga and Japanese-style painting basics under Mizushima's guidance, a ninth-generation Maruyama Shijo-ha school member. Recommended for those seeking deeper understanding, it offers a special Kyoto experience in a luxurious Higashiyama setting.