Six spring haiku c. mid 18th century

Kaga no Chiyo, a female Japanese poet, created this work, “Six Spring Haiku,” using ink on paper. The materials involved are deceptively simple. Paper-making in Japan was, and remains, a highly refined craft. The fibers, often from the inner bark of the mulberry tree, yield a surface both absorbent and strong, ideally suited to calligraphy. Ink, too, is a substance of surprising depth. Made from lampblack or pine soot, it is mixed with glue to form a solid stick, which the artist then grinds with water to the desired consistency. The way the brushstrokes vary allows us to experience the character and skill of the artist. We can also see that it took plenty of practice to get to a point of mastery and a life-time devotion to her craft. It is the product of quiet, sustained labor. Consider this when looking at other artworks. Materials are never neutral; they are always the result of human effort and cultural meaning.