Art on Shikishi Japanese Cardboard
- artsan
- Jan 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: May 10
Exploring the Art and Craft Behind Japan’s Iconic Format
If you’ve ever visited a Japanese art supply shop or gallery, you may have seen elegant square boards edged in gold, often displaying calligraphy, delicate brush paintings, or autographs. These are shikishi—a traditional Japanese art support that combines cultural heritage with refined craftsmanship.
But what exactly is a shikishi board? How is it made, and why is it still used today by both traditional and contemporary artists?
A Compact Canvas with a Rich History
The shikishi (色紙) is a rigid board traditionally used in Japan for calligraphy, poetry, ink painting (sumi-e), and artistic inscriptions. Its most recognizable format is around 24 x 27 cm, with a paper surface and a distinctive gold trim around the edges. But shikishi come in many sizes—including smaller mini-shikishi, long vertical tanzaku for poems, and large ceremonial formats.
These boards have a long history. As far back as the Heian period (794–1185), courtiers and monks used shikishi to present poems and brushwork. By the Edo period, they had become a popular format for artists, Zen masters, and kabuki performers to leave inscriptions or small works.
What Makes a Shikishi Board?
What sets shikishi apart from regular paper is their layered construction. A traditional board consists of:
A firm backing, made from layered paperboard or composite material
A smooth washi paper surface, prized for its texture and absorbency
A gold foil edge (kinbari)
A decorative backing paper on the reverse
This results in a beautifully finished, portable board that doesn’t require framing—it’s ready to be displayed on its own.
How Are Shikishi Boards Made?
The fabrication process involves several steps:
The board’s core is assembled from multiple layers for strength.
A high-quality washi sheet is applied with a natural starch adhesive.
The board is pressed and dried flat to avoid warping.
The surface is burnished to create a smooth, even texture.
Gold foil is applied to the edges.
The reverse side is finished with a decorative or plain paper.
This careful process gives the shikishi its distinctive look and versatility as an art surface.
Tradition Meets Contemporary Art
While shikishi have long been associated with classical Japanese art, they continue to be used by contemporary artists exploring form, scale, and material. The rigid format offers a defined space for composition, while the historical associations bring added resonance to the work.
Today, shikishi boards are produced in both artisanal workshops and modern factories, especially in regions known for papermaking such as Mino and Echizen.
At Art San Gallery, we explore the shikishi as more than a traditional format—it’s a living medium. Whether used for delicate ink drawings or bold pastel compositions, the shikishi remains a powerful space for artistic expression.
Shikishi art is beautiful 🤩
Technic used is sumi-e (Japanese ink). “Sumi” means ink and “e” means painting . 墨絵（sumi-e). It’s a traditional Japanese ink painting technique that uses black ink and water to create art. It emphasizes simplicity, brush control, and the balance of light and dark (known as negative space). Key techniques include varying brush pressure, controlling ink dilution for shading, and capturing the essence of the subject with minimal strokes.”
Beautiful! Is it water color?