3 Free Inspirational Books For Illustrating Japanese-style Waves

Boost your creativity with these early 20th-century illustrations from artist Mori Yuzan

The ocean is incredibly hypnotic. Outlining the silhouette of a wave for an illustration requires letting the brush glide almost freely across the page. In Japanese art, waves express beauty and are packed with symbolism, and Hamonshū, a collection of three books from 1903, includes many great examples. Despite not being very well known, author Mori Yuzan demonstrates a unique ability to draw different types of waves with great accuracy.

Thanks to Internet Archive and The Smithsonian Library, you can now access and download all three books free of charge. They will no doubt serve as an incredible source of inspiration and great reference material when creating mood boards in the early stages of your creative process.

Nihonga-style illustrations

Yuzan's work stands out for its emotive designs and patterns that, at the beginning of the 20th century, served as inspiration for Japanese craftsmen. When coming up with ways to decorate different objects (ranging from swords to religious items to ceramics) they found new ideas in the illustrations compiled in these books.

The monochromatic illustrations in the Hamonshū books have been drawn in ink on washi paper and painted with brushes. They all adhere to the Nihonga style, an aesthetic that emerged during Japan's Meiji era (October 23, 1868 - July 30, 1912). It was a time during which the country underwent modernization and westernization, and was beginning to become a world power.

Nihonga means "Japanese-style painting" and refers to a set of techniques and materials that adhere to traditional art trends in Japan. The main themes are animals, plants, and landscapes while Japanese paper and silk stand out as the most widely used materials to paint onto.

Recognizing this style is simple: you will notice well-defined lines as well as the use of Sumi-e ink, touches of gold and silver, and compositions that leave a lot of blank space.

What is the Sumi-e technique?

Sumi-e is a very specific, centuries-old technique originating from China. Instead of focusing on detail and precision, it is considered a tool for spontaneous abstract expression. It is more often associated with Japan because of the attention that Japanese illustrations in this style have received around the world. It is considered a tool through which we can exercise a philosophy of life that transcends the paper: with just a few materials, and by carrying out particular methods, this technique can open up new ways of experiencing creativity.

In this article, Japanese illustrator Flor Kaneshiro (@florkaneshiro) tells us about Sumi-e, its characteristics, most common uses, and what materials you will need before you start painting.

Nature in Japanese art

The land of the rising sun has always celebrated the beauty of nature. Nihonga-style works, such as those that make up this collection, transmit the traditional Japanese belief that we should live in harmony with nature.

However, these artists, instead of imitating what they see, aim to convey emotions and feelings through their drawings. Yuzan's waves are a clear example, because they all move, are reborn, or change direction unexpectedly as if each one has its own personality.

Playing with different strokes and movements, changing how much pressure you apply or the position of the brush, you can succeed in guiding the viewer so that they follow the journey each wave embarks on.

The teachings of waves

In Japanese art, waves are one of the elements that are most often portrayed, given that they are packed with symbolism. In Zen Buddhism, a wave is a metaphor for human existence. Each wave reflects life, from one's birth to their final days. Like the waves, people rise and fall and let themselves get carried along, without fear of being pulled in different directions.

If you are part of the sea, waves aren't dangerous and you needn’t try to avoid them. They are to be accepted because they are all part of the same ocean and universe. In Zen Buddhism, life must be accepted as it comes, or rather, whatever waves it brings towards you.

One key work for understanding the symbolism of this element is The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a woodblock print by the Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, published in 1830. Besides being very well-known worldwide, it has inspired many interpretations. On the one hand, the wave symbolizes the unstoppable force of nature, with Mount Fuji in the distance. On the other hand, historians have interpreted the wave as a metaphor for the arrival of foreign powers in Japan.

Paying the sea a visit

One of the tips that illustration experts share is to go out into the world and find new sources of inspiration. If you like to draw waves and you live near the sea, don't hesitate to grab your sketchbook and go down to the coast in person. This will allow you to practice the art of observation and become more confident with your brushes, in preparation for future compositions. Paying attention to every detail of the landscape in front of you, besides being a relaxing activity, will help you find your voice and define your own illustration style.

Do you use similar resources when carrying out drawing exercises? You won’t need to register anywhere to access these three books, you just need to click on this Internet Archive link and download them directly.

If you want to learn more about illustration other creative techniques inspired by Japanese art, explore Domestika's selection of online courses. You will find options both for beginners and professionals looking to perfect their skills.

English version by @eloise_edgington.

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