Final answer:
The expressive technique in Hokusai's 'Turning the Samisen' is reminiscent of the sumi-e style, particularly in the characteristics found in the Kano School's paintings, involving brushwork, monochromatism, and use of negative space.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional technique used in Hokusai's "Turning the Samisen" suggests a similar expressive style can be found in the art form of sumi-e (or suibokuga), a style of ink wash painting. This style originating from China was adopted by Japanese artists, including the Kano School and developed into a distinct fusion with Japanese flat patterning. Kano School paintings and sumi-e share a focus on brushwork, monochromatic tones, and an engagement with negative space, which in the Japanese style, was often filled with gold or left unpainted to represent clouds.
Furthermore, the technique of layering brushwork with different shades of ink-wash to define shapes is a hallmark of sumi-e. This was evident in the works of Kano Motonobu and later, Kano Eitoku, who perfected the style through large-scale gilded screens and folding doors.