Washi, black gesso, gofun, gold leaf, and aluminum foil are used. A heaping up matiere is applied. The large circles are heaped up and gold leaf is applied, and the small circles are stamped with aluminum foil. The large circles are heaped up and then gold leaf is applied, while the smaller circles are aluminum leaf. 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, fine-particle paint. 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.
