Literati painting was basically an avocation by amateur and 'its kiin (elegance)' which could be regarded as its essence was widely accepted by Bunjin and deeply spread among Bunjin in their pastimes after Sung and Yuan periods.
文人画は飽くまで素人の余技であり、その精髄とも呼べる「気韻」は広く文人の間に受け入れられ、宋元以降、文人の趣味生活に深く浸透していった。