Kosuke Okahara for The New York Times Supported by By Clay Risen One afternoon in February 1891, a Japanese chemist named Jokichi Takamine arrived by train in Peoria, Ill. He was there at the ...

Usami explained that every element of sumi-e, or East Asian calligraphy, is important. Great care and thought are given to the paper, ink stick, ink stone and brush. Usami began learning calligraphy ...