This print is inspired by the art of Japanese ink painting, also known as Sumi-e, a 2000 year-old art form with an interesting history. The roots of Sumi-e are found in Zen Buddhism; with the earliest traditional artists being Buddhist monks. The monks would spend hours in meditation preparing to paint a piece. They felt that the calm and concentration that they attained was no different than that of a Samurai warrior's calm before a battle.