Sesshu

What if a single black brushstroke could make a whole mountain appear? That's what Sesshū did! Sesshū (1420–1506) was a Japanese Zen monk and painter in the Muromachi period (15th century).

He became famous for sumi-e — ink-wash painting — and for a bold style called haboku, or 'splashed ink.' The single most important thing about Sesshū is how he turned plain black ink into powerful, misty landscapes that look alive with motion.

In the mid-1400s Sesshū traveled to China to study Chinese brush techniques, then brought those ideas back to Japan. He painted on hanging scrolls and folding screens, using quick, confident strokes, wet washes, and empty space to make rocks, trees, water, and clouds seem real. His habit of using sudden splashes and washes made his pictures dramatic and full of surprise.

Sesshū’s work changed Japanese art. His paintings matched Zen ideas—simple, direct, and full of feeling—and generations of artists copied his way of seeing. Museums and art historians call him one of Japan’s greatest painters. Even today, people learn from his brushwork and try to feel the spirit in his ink. So, want to try Sesshū’s trick? Use black ink or paint, a big brush, and dare to make one strong stroke — you might see a mountain appear!