The most valuable stone for suzuri is known throughout the entire oriental world as tan kei and is found in the mountain of Fuka in China. This stone has gold streaks through it, with small dots called bird's eyes. The water which flows from Fuka mountain is blue. The color of the rock is violet. A favorite color for the suzuri (in Chinese called ken) is lion's liver. Formerly much ceremony was observed in mining for this stone and sheep and cattle were offered in sacrifice, else it was believed that the stone would be struck by a thunderbolt and reduced to ashes in the hands of its possessor. The suzuri is also made in China from river sediment fashioned and baked. Still another method is to make the suzuri from paper and the varnish of the lacquer tree. Such are called paper suzuri (shi ken). In Thibet suzuri are made from the bamboo root. In Japan the best stones for suzuri are found near Hiroshima in Kiushu, the grain being hard and fine.
The skilful use of water colors is called sesshoku. It is more difficult to paint with sumi alone than use of water to paint with the aid of colors, which can hide defects never to be concealed in a sumi e, where painting over sumi a second time is disastrous. Japanese painters as a rule are sparing of colors, the slightest amount used discreetly and with restraint generally sufficing. Many artists have not the color sense or dislike color and seldom use it. Kubota often declared he hoped to live until he might feel justified in discarding color and employing sumi alone for any and all effects in painting.
There are eight different ways of painting in color. I will enumerate them, with their technical, descriptive terms:
In the best form of color painting (goku zai shiki) [(Plate IX)] the color is most carefully laid on, being applied three times or oftener if necessary. On account of these repeated coats this form is called tai chaku shoku. This style of painting is reserved for temples, gold screens, palace ceilings and the like. Tosa and Yamato e painters generally followed this manner.
The next best method of coloring (chu zai shiki) [(Plate X)] is termed chaku shoku, or the ordinary application of color. The Kano and Shijo schools use this method extensively, as did also the Ukiyo e painters.
The light water-color method, called tan sai [(Plate XI)], is employed in the ordinary style of painting kakemono and is much used by the Okyo school.
The most interesting form of painting, technically called bokkotsu [(Plate XII)], is that in which all outlines are suppressed and sumi or color is used for the masses. Another Japanese term for the same is tsuketate.
Tree Squirrel, by Mochizuki Kimpo. Plate V.
The method of shading, called goso [(Plate XIII)], invented by a Chinese artist, Godoshi, who lived one thousand years ago, consists in applying dark brown color or light sumi wash over the sumi lines. This style was much employed by Kano painters and for art printing.