Sumi-e (Japanese:  墨絵 "ink and painting") and Shodō (Japanese:  書道 "writing and path") are monochrome or close to it, painted on rice paper in soft colours diluted in water. The two-thousand-year-old technique originated in China and later came to Japan. The basic working tools of sumi-e and calligraphy, also known as the "Four Jewels", have remained unchanged to this day. These are the brush (Jap. fude), the ink tile (Jap. sumi), the handmade paper (Jap. washi) and the ink blender (Jap. suzuri). The most important characteristic of all of them is their extreme sensitivity.

During the event you will learn about the principles of the traditional Japanese painting technique sumi-e, special painting tools and practice painting sakura in different ways. The principles of plum/sakura painting are related to the cosmos, and to the opposing but complementary nature of yin and yang. It is a symbol of strength, independence and nobility. You will also write in calligraphy the Japanese hieroglyphs: 花 - flower (Japanese: hana) and  花見 - "blossom viewing" (Japanese: hanami): the tradition of enjoying the blossom of the sakura tree (Japanese: cherry tree), a widespread Japanese tradition.

The class will be led by Marija Šimanskaitė, who has been interested in Oriental culture, Japanese sumi-e painting and calligraphy for many years, and who, together with her mother, is a painter. Dalia Dokšaite, founder of a private Japanese cultural house in Vilnius and caretaker of the Japanese garden Sei Shin en.

The class will take place in Kaunas, in the studio of the Ceramics Academy 
Entrance to the studio from the side of the Volunoversu Street. Dial 202 on the intercom and go up to the second floor.