The Studio Starter Set is designed for artists seeking to explore the expressive possibilities of Japanese shikishi boards across paper types and formats. This 20-board set includes both standard and mini sizes, with a mix of Gasen and Torinoko papers, each selected in collaboration with a traditional board maker in Mino, Japan.
Gasen offers a lightly textured, dōsa-sized surface that prevents bleeding—ideal for ink, gouache, acrylic, or oil pastel.
Torinoko offers a smooth, lightly satin surface with low absorbency, making it well-suited for all types of media—from watercolor, ink, and gouache to pencil, pastel, acrylic, and layered mixed techniques. Its balanced surface provides both control and subtle texture, ideal for artists working between drawing and painting.
5 × Gasen shikishi (24 × 27 cm)
5 × Torinoko shikishi (24 × 27 cm)
5 × Gasen mini shikishi (13.6 × 12.1 cm)
5 × Torinoko mini shikishi (13.6 × 12.1 cm)
Total: 20 boards
Each board is finished with a traditional gold edge and constructed from laminated layers of paper, offering both elegance and durability. This set is part of the ongoing Shikishi Art Project by Art San Gallery, which invites artists to approach this historic format as a living, creative surface.
Studio Set – 20 Japanese Shikishi Boards – Gasen & Torinoko (Mini and Standard)
Paper types: Gasen washi (dōsa-sized, lightly textured) & Torinoko washi (smooth, low absorbency)
Quantity: 20 boards (4 variations × 5 each)
Sizes:
— Standard: 24 × 27 cm (≈ 9.4 × 10.6 in)
— Mini: 13.6 × 12.1 cm (≈ 5.3 × 4.8 in)
Edge: Gold foil trim
Structure: Laminated layers of paper
Paper origin: Mino, Japan
Selected in collaboration with: Traditional board craftsman, Mino, Japan
Shipped from: Art San Gallery, Gujo Hachiman, Japan
