Using Japanese paper, gold, silver mud, mineral pigments, and gold night. A butterfly and a peach-colored lotus flower dancing on a crescent moon in the dark night. The dancing butterflies are expressed in gold leaf sand. The crescent moon is covered with clouds. Lotus flowers came from China with the arrival of Buddhism. Since ancient times, it has been a familiar Buddhist symbol that represents the enlightenment of the Buddha. 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.
