Art on Shikishi Japanese Cardboard
- artsan
- Jan 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 13
A shikishi is a type of traditional Japanese mounting board or card that is often used for calligraphy and artwork. The term "shikishi" can refer to both the board itself and the practice of creating art on it.
The standard size of a shikishi is typically around 24 x 27 centimeters (approximately 9.4 x 10.6 inches). Shikishi boards are usually made of high-quality, thick paper or cardboard and are available in various colors, although white is a common choice.
Shikishi boards are commonly used for creating sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) and calligraphy works. Artists, calligraphers, and sometimes even ordinary people use shikishi to express their creativity. The compact size and rigidity of the board make it a suitable surface for traditional Japanese artistic practices.
Additionally, shikishi boards are often used for special occasions or events. For example, they are sometimes used to display a haiku poem, an illustration, or calligraphy as a gift or commemorative item. Shikishi boards may also be signed or stamped by the artist, adding a personal touch to the artwork.
Art San Gallery has recently started exploring the world of shikishi art, adding these traditional boards to our collection. Our focus is on honouring the tradition while also exploring its potential for contemporary expression. As we begin this journey, we look forward to showcasing our initial discoveries. Keep an eye out as our appreciation for shikishi develops – we aim to gradually introduce more of these beautiful traditional boards, sharing their cultural richness with the art community over time.
By clicking on the image, you can discover some traditional art on Japanese shikishi cardboards.
Shikishi art is beautiful 🤩
Technic used is sumi-e (Japanese ink). “Sumi” means ink and “e” means painting . 墨絵（sumi-e). It’s a traditional Japanese ink painting technique that uses black ink and water to create art. It emphasizes simplicity, brush control, and the balance of light and dark (known as negative space). Key techniques include varying brush pressure, controlling ink dilution for shading, and capturing the essence of the subject with minimal strokes.”
Beautiful! Is it water color?