Shihan Students
It is a custom in Japanese sumi-e brush painting for the teacher, or sensei, to test their students after 10 years of study. If the student passes the test he or she is certified as a Shihan, or 10-year student, and can teach first level sumi-e to others. The student also receives a Japanese painting name, often referred to as their artist name, that contains an element of the teacher’s name. This way the traditions of sumi-e are passed from teachers to students, through generations.
Click on the Shihan's name below, if it is underlined, to view their information. Click on blue arrow to return here:
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Luz Shepard, "Ryuko"
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Yen Szeto, "Enshu"
Shihan's whose name is not underlined are from Washu-Kai. We still need their approval, a short statement and photos to complete their entry.
MISA OKADA, “Sashu”
Misa Okada received her 10-year certificate from Takashi Ijichi in 2010. However, she has been studying brush painting for much longer than that, more than 30 years. She studied with Kazuko (Suzy) Reynolds, known by her artist name of Washu, for 21 years. Misa’s painting name, Sashu, was given to her by Washu in 1992. Misa’s favorite subject to paint: birds!
JOSEPH (JOE) CROSS, “Ryujo” & "Ryukyu"
Joe was born in Philadelphia. In 1945, at the behest of his uncle, he switched from drawing and watercolor to photography. In 1978 he attended his first Japanese sumi-e brush painting exhibition given by Kazuko (Suzy) Reynolds, known by the artist name of Washu. In 2000 he started sumi-e training with Takashi Ijichi. As a member of Washu-Kai he attended demonstrations by Washu. In 2007 he was elected as president of the Washu-Kai Japanese Brush Painting Society. After receiving his first-level teaching certification and painting name of Ryujo from Takashi in 2010, he started his own school Ryujo Shikunshi Ryu. In addition to studying with Takashi, he studies with Kayo Beach (Shuka), and with Tatsuko Sandin (Ryushu) who gave him the artist name Ryukyu.
FUMIE DAVIS, “Keishu”
Ever since I was a little girl, I always liked to draw flowers, people, animals, and everything. I would stay up late many nights pretending that I was working on a lot of school homework. Actually, we did have plenty of it at our old-fashioned-school. But I still managed to be scribbling and drawing things till my heart content. I even took extra art classes when I was in college.
It was 1980 when I started attending Washu Sensei’s Vista class. Then, I had to have about ten years of absence from her class due to my work load. I was back to her class later on, and was given a Ten Year (Shihan) Certificate in 2005. I still continue learning and enjoying Sensei’s class a lot.
After dear Sensei’s departure, we, the Vista group have been getting together once in a while, sort of helping each other, or, self-studying. It is indeed a great enjoyment, and will hopefully be so for a long time, for all of us. I was very fortunate that I had an opportunity to have encountered Sumi-e art.
LOUISE RENDICH, “RuShu”
From childhood, I have sought to portray "action" and "life" in my drawings. I am still working on this! My first teacher of Japanese art was Mrs. Kazuko Reynolds (Washu), from whom I obtained a 10 years' certification and painting name (RuShu) in 1998. When Washu retired, I continued my studies with Mr. Takashi Ijichi.
EDNA HARPER, “Ryu-e”
The first time Edna took an interest in painting was in the 6th grade, when she entered a San Diego City Schools art contest, and won 1st place in her age group. After that she was hooked on art and design. In later years she worked in all kinds of mediums: oil, acrylic, professional jewelry design, fabrication, and stained glass windows and lamps. She was always interested in Asian fashion, customs, art and designs, so after trips to China and Japan she knew she had to try her hand at Asian art. In 1993 she found her true calling in the sumi-e style of painting. Edna became a student of various teachers, and in 2001 started taking classes from Japanese Master Artist Takashi Ijichi, her teacher or "sensei". She graduated in 2011, receiving her 10-year student teaching certificate and her painter name of RYU-E, as is the centuries-old custom. This accomplishment fulfilled Edna’s dream, and to this day she continues to take classes, because, she says, “One learns something new with every class.”
GAYE TERP LINGLEY, “Ryu Gei”
Creativity was a large part of my childhood. I enjoyed drawing and experimenting with color and shapes.
I attended San Diego State University as an art major and, after marrying and having my first child, I returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education and two teaching credentials from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Time passed during which I remarried and had two more children, staying creative in other ways before picking up a brush again, this time in Sumi-e, Japanese Brush Painting. Sumi-e opened an entirely new world of seeing and feeling. I earned my master teacher designation in 2012, and a new sumi-e painting name, “Ryu gei”. You can call me sensei!
I became a member of Lung Hsiang, a Chinese Brush Painting affiliate of American Artists Of Chinese Brush Painting (AACBP), a few years ago to expand my Asian art horizons and have learned more than I ever thought possible and have made many new friends along the way.
“Scandanasiastudio” came about by combining my Scandanavian (Danish & Swedish) heritage with my interest in Asian painting. I hope you enjoy the artwork.
Scandanasianstudio
STELLA TING, “Ryugyoku”
Stella Ting was born in Macau, China and immigrated to the United States in her early teens. She has always been intrigued with the art of Asian brush painting even as a young child. Years later in her adulthood, Stella had the opportunity to start learning this beautiful art form.
Stella is passionate about her art works. She continues to strive towards embodying the concept of Zen Wisdom and pursues her journey of painting through the flow of inner energy. She is a ten year graduate of Sensai Takashi Ijichi, receiving her certificate in 2013. She enjoys sharing her insight of this splendid art form of Asian brush painting. Current member of: Friends of Sumi-E, and Ling Hsiang, Chapter Five of American Artists of Chinese Brush Painting. Stella Ting contact information: syting@sbcglobal.net, (858)
NINA FISHMAN, “Ryuni”
Nina Fishman has been a life-long admirer of Japanese culture and arts, beginning with an inspirational trip to Japan when she was a teenager. She considers art as a way of growing spiritually, and values brush painting as an exercise in mindfulness. She was delighted to join Takashi and fellow students on a trip to Japan in 2007, and enjoyed the cherry blossom season.
She has studied with Takashi since 2001, and was awarded the Ten Year Master Artist Certificate in 2010. She has exhibited paintings in every show since 2002, and also has exhibited at the Del Mar Fair, where she won Third Place in the Oriental Brush Division in 2008. She has also exhibited three times at Mission Trails Regional Park. Nina has donated art for fundraising for various organizations. Nina has also taught several workshops for the Friends Taka-Sumi-e painting society.
TRICIA FAURE ERLER, “Ryusha”
While teaching Art in the City Schools, I needed a relaxing outlet for my own creativity. I found sumi-e painting and was hooked. In 2013 I received my title of Sensei after studying with Sensei Takashi Ijichi for 10 years. I have also studied with Sensei Tatsuko Sandin and Sensei Joe Cross. I was a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, was accepted by Spanish Village for my clay jewelry designs, and am a member of Friends of Taka Sumi-e. I hope you enjoyed viewing my work as much as I did painting it.
STEPHANIE MAST, “Ryusu”
I was given the name Ryusu by my sensei, Takashi Ijichi in 2014. I actually had to be persuaded to take a sumi-e class; but once I saw the effects of the inked brush on the paper, I was captivated. Studying under Takashi has given me reverence for the traditional religious and cultural undertones in Japanese art as well as an appreciation for the challenges of describing nature in brush strokes. My biggest inspiration comes from interacting with all the other students and society members and marveling at what comes out of their brushes.
I admire Zen sumi-e. However, I tend to paint detail, and so painting on silk and mashi paper intrigues me the most.
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MARGIE JOHNSON, “RyuMa”
Margie Johnson is endowed with Mastership of Sumi-e painting through the disciplines of Japanese Sensei Takashi Ijichi (RyuHo), receiving her certification in 2015. Further studies toward perfection ensue with both Sensei Joe Cross (RyuJo) School of Shikunshi and Tatsuko Sandin (RyuShu). Flavors blended into Margie's sumi-e paintings are derived from travels to Japan which served to strengthen her understanding and love of Japaneses culture, art forms and people. Showings have included San Diego County Fair, Mission Trails Regional Park, Art Experiment, and Friends of TakaSumi-e shows. Margie's artist philosophy is that God delights in all artistic creativity as in the blossoming of a morning flower.
ALICE ROGOW, “Ryu Yu”
I have always loved my family, friends and beach – now there is more. After a successful teaching career, I was lucky enough to meet a wonderful sensei who opened the creativity in my heart. Along with this came a community of fellow artists who supported my efforts with encouragement and critique. I have achieved a peace in painting that has filled my life with a new appreciation of the world around me – in nature there is inspiration. My eyes are open and my brush is flowing. I have been painting for over 10 years now, receiving my painting name Ryu Yu in 2015 from Sensei Takashi Ijichi. Japanese brush painting has captivated me.
DEBORAH PENNELL, “Ryude”
Deborah received a degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in pottery, textiles and jewelry. Her inspiration for Japanese art and culture began while working for a Japanese company. Over the past 10 years, she has found her passion as a sumi-e brush painter and was fortunate to visit Japan to further embrace the culture and natural beauty. Under the guidance and lessons of Sensei Takashi Ijichi, Deborah has developed her skills for this natural art form and continues to expand her talents and creativity, receiving her painting name and certificate in 2016.
ROSALIND NICKLIN, “Ryuro”
I have been an artist since early childhood using acrylics, oils, and lots of sketching. I had not done much watercolor until 2002 when I went to Japan to visit a friend. While there I met Hakuho Hirayama, an 80-year old Japanese Master at her private home outside Tokyo for my first sumi-e watercolor lesson. She taught at the American Club and had done paintings for dignitaries. She spoke no English so I learned by watching. I have one of her beautiful paintings in my home. Upon my return, I looked for Japanese paint classes and found Sensei Takashi Ijichi. After 13 years with him I graduated in March 2017, receiving my paint name, Ryuro. I also enjoy photography and painting brings me much joy and peace in looking at nature differently. I also studied with Tatsuko Sandin (Ryushu). I continue to paint, make handmade and painted greeting cards, and enjoy silk painting classes with Sensei Ryusu, Stephanie Mast.
