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.

We are pleased to announce the opening of Art San Gallery's physical space in the historic town of Gujo Hachiman, nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Gujo Hachiman is often called the “water town” — a place where narrow streets, wooden houses, and murmuring canals come together to form one of Japan’s most picturesque and peaceful environments. Known for its pristine rivers and deep-rooted traditions, the town embodies a rare harmony between nature and culture.

This life-size work, created by Ortaire de Coupigny using wax and noir de fumée , is the result of a deliberate process blending...

It’s been a year and a half since we launched Art San Gallery — we hinted at a mysterious destination hidden in the name itself.

Explore the tradition of tegata — sumo handprint autographs on shikishi boards — featuring Yokozuna Chiyonofuji Mitsugu.

Explore figurative abstraction, where form and emotion merge. Discover key artists and techniques shaping this expressive art movement today

Few artists manage to blur the lines between sculpture, painting, and conceptual art as seamlessly as Ortaire de Coupigny.

Clotilde Clotilde Aksin-Frappier’s approach to oil pastels demonstrates the medium’s full potential as both a painterly and graphic tool.

Halna du Fretay recently started to work with Japanese shikishi, either as a direct painting surface or as a mounting board for Arches paper

Olivia Lomenech Gill’s art is defined by her seamless integration of multiple mediums, including ink, watercolour, gouache, charcoal, oil...

Ortaire de Coupigny's artwork titled Punk is not dead! embodies his characteristic humor, cultural commentary, and inventive use of material

The artist's pseudonym, "Suito," meaning "A city with beautiful rivers and lake," further enhances the artwork's contemplative ambiance.

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

Haruka Miyamoto, the renowned sculptor from Hiroshima, Japan, offers her own homage to the Tasmanian tiger through a breathtaking creation.

Ortaire de Coupigny's artistic journey began with a foundation in stained glass, a discipline that would shape his approach to art.

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