There are many techniques used in Japanese paintings to convey
these spatial qualities.  One is the un-en technique, meaning
'clouds and smoke' in which the bird's eye perspective is used to
show whole landscapes or towns and the activities of people
within them.  The various parts are not linked up, rather they
are made discontinuous with patches of clouds.  It is not the
appearance of the whole that assumes importance, but rather
the relationship between selected parts.