Paulownia wood panel, aluminum foil, dried water, cotton and cotton wool. No Japanese paper is used. Cotton wool, cotton threads, and pigment (mizuhoshi) are applied directly to the paulownia wood panel, and after drying, aluminum foil is stamped on the foil. The back is coated with urethane varnish. The lines of silver and purple tinted threads give it a unique beauty. Japanese painting 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 paints such as sumi ink, iwa-enogu (mineral pigments), gofun (gofun), etc., and glue (nikawawa) 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.
