Nanga

Refers to a style of Japanese painting that flourished from the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868) to the Taisho period (1912-1926). It was inspired by the Chinese literati, or "Wen ren," scholar-painting tradition, intended for a small, intellectual audience. Unlike other styles that developed in major Japanese studios, Nanga style includes varying techniques, styles, and subject-matter, linked by a loose tradition rather than by standardized rules. It is generally characterized by the combination of painting, poetry, and calligraphy, with a preference for subtle brushwork, monochromatic or subdued coloring, and abstraction of natural forms to convey highly personal views of nature.