Hempen paper, water-dried, mineral pigments and gold leaf. Panel F8. With a temporary frame (simple frame). Frame 43 x 55 x 3cm, total weight 1.15Kg. Fuji is generally light purple in color, but this work depicts a pure white wisteria. I found a white wisteria on a walk and thought it was so beautiful that I decided to use it as the subject of a Japanese-style painting. Nihonga" is based on a style of painting that has existed for more than 1,000 years, and uses traditional materials that have been cultivated throughout history. The technique involves painting on Japanese paper, silk, wood, etc., using natural pigments such as sumi ink, iwa-enogu (mineral pigments), and gofun (gofun), and glue as an adhesive. Gold and other metal materials (gold leaf, etc.) are also used. Iwa-enogu, made from ores, is a beautiful, sand-like powder. Mizuhigure, made from clay, is a fine, stretchy paint with fine particles. Artificial versions of iwa-enogu and mizuhoshi egur are also made, and are available in a wide variety of colors. Goko, made from shells, is a white pigment with fine particles.
