In English, the Japanese word shikishi is sometimes translated as “colored paper.” At first glance, it seems to make sense: the kanji characters 色紙 literally mean “color” (色) and “paper” (紙). But in practice, this translation is both misleading and reductive.

This post provides valuable insights into the sizes, Japanese names, and uses of traditional shikishi boards.

A shikishi is a type of traditional Japanese mounting board or card that is often used for calligraphy and artwork.