Sesshū Tōyō

Revolutionary Japanese ink painter who redefined East Asian landscape art

Born in 1420, Sesshū Tōyō broke from Chinese painting traditions to develop a distinctly Japanese Zen aesthetic. His "Haboku" (broken ink) technique created abstract landscapes using spontaneous splashes and bold brushstrokes, predating Western abstract expressionism by 500 years.

The masterpiece "Winter Landscape" demonstrates his radical approach - jagged cliffs rendered through "axe-cut" brushwork symbolizing spiritual enlightenment. His 1486 "Long Scroll" contains 50 continuous scenes blending real and imaginary geography, an unprecedented narrative format.

Unlike contemporaries who copied Chinese masters, Sesshū traveled to Ming China (1468-1473) only to return rejecting imitation. He established regional painting schools that spread his innovative styles across Japan. The Unkoku-rin school preserved his techniques into the Edo period, influencing even modern manga art.