{"id":27821,"date":"2018-08-14T20:09:01","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T20:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lovehappensmag.com\/blog\/?p=27821"},"modified":"2020-04-20T19:16:54","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T19:16:54","slug":"one-stroke-dragon-keisuke-teshima-hitofude-ryu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovehappensmag.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/14\/one-stroke-dragon-keisuke-teshima-hitofude-ryu\/","title":{"rendered":"The Allure of the One-Stroke Dragon: Keisuke Teshima and the Art of Hitofude Ryu"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Allure of the One-Stroke Dragon: Keisuke Teshima and the Art of Hitofude Ryu<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For centuries, the Japanese culture has regarded dragons as symbols of good fortune. Most often representative of good health, prosperity and as a talisman against evil, throughout Japan’s history dragons have been worshipped for their legendary power. Thus was born a special form of\u00a0sumi-e<\/em>\u00a0(traditional Japanese ink painting), an art form referred to as the One-Stroke Dragon technique. Fascinated by dragons since childhood, when Keisuke Teshima encountered the One-Stroke Dragon style he was immediately drawn to it. Today the Japanese artist creates beautiful, majestic and powerful One-Stroke Dragon paintings which are sold around the world.
\n\"One-Stroke<\/a>
\nKeisuke’s fascination with dragons began during his childhood while learning the spirit of the Japanese way through Karatedo. After training in traditional Buddhist art techniques, he began working as a craftsman restoring Buddhist Temples and altars in Japan. He discovered the One-Stroke Dragon style and its history and technique immediately intrigued him.\u00a0In ancient time many artists mastered the art of One-Stroke Dragon and thus it was present in temples and shrines throughout Japan, but presently only a handful are still in existence. Keisuke began to study the style and mastered it in just 3 years.
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The Art of Hitofude Ryu and Ippitsuryu<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The tradition of this ancient art form began in the early 1600s during Japan’s Edo era. As its Japanese name infers,\u00a0ippitsuryu\u00a0<\/em>(translated as\u00a0ippitsu: <\/em>a few lines, stroke of pen;\u00a0ryu: <\/em>dragon) or\u00a0hitofude ryu<\/em>\u00a0(hitrofude<\/em>: one stroke; ryu<\/em>: dragon), the technique uses as few strokes as possible to create a dragon.
\nOften passed from generation to generation, this form of sumi-e<\/em> painting uses an ink wash and brush, similar to calligraphy. The focus of this art form is on the beauty of the brushstroke. Keisuke begins with small single strokes to create the dragon’s head. Then by varying pressure and brush position, never lifting from the page, the scales of the dragon’s torso take form as he moves his hand with incredible precision and patience. He then adds small details at the end to complete the work of art. Watch the beauty unfold!
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