When you hear the term “Nihonga” (Japanese painting), you may have the impression of something prestigious and difficult.
However, this painting genre is by no means old. Nihonga is considered a “new art style" that developed from traditional Japanese painting, influenced by Western art ideology.
In the past, Japanese paintings were typically created using mineral pigments on silk canvases, kozo (paper mulberry) or hemp paper. Nowadays, however, artists have more freedom to explore various materials, including chemically synthesized mineral pigments and substrates other than traditional Japanese washi paper.
If you want to explore the world of Nihonga, we invite you to check out our “Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting Set” series! This starter box is designed for anyone interested in trying out Japanese painting techniques.
Even beginners can create two artworks, each measuring 227 x 158 mm, by simply following the instructions and coloring the pre-drafted panels. The paintings in this set are a perfect size for framing and displaying on your wall at home.
From the webpage of “Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting - Cherry Blossom -”
The set contains the following items.
・Mineral Pigment (11 colors)
・Outline Drawings (2 designs)
・ Nenshi (Carbon Paper)
・ Paint Palettes (4 pieces)
・Sumi Ink
・Hemp Paper Board Sized with Shell Powder Pigments (2 pieces)
・Animal Glue
・Instruction Booklet
・Flat Brush
・Menso-brush (Small and Medium)
・Coloring Brush
Nenshi is paper coated with Suihi pigment or charcoal powder and acts like a carbon paper for tracing. It is used to transfer an image to paper in Japanese painting.
The process of transferring the image of outlines on the drawing board is called Kotsu-gaki in Japanese. Kotsu means outline and Gaki means drawing. The drawing board is made by mounting hemp paper on the thick paper to avoid curling when applying color.
Each design comes with its own outline drawings, so even those who are not confident in their drawing skills can enjoy the process with ease.
While this set includes instructions in Japanese only, we have prepared an English guidebook for the Cherry Blossom Edition to accommodate non-Japanese-speaking customers. It's also a great choice as a souvenir for friends or family overseas.
In addition to these sets, we recommend having a brush cleaning pot on hand to enhance your painting experience.
(*Please note that the English instruction booklet is only available for the Cherry Blossom Edition. If you choose a different design, we suggest using this booklet as a general reference guide.)
1. Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting - Cherry Blossom -
The Sakura (cherry blossoms) is one of the most iconic symbols of Japan.
Among the many masterpieces of Japanese painting that feature this flower, "Yozakura (Night Cherry Blossoms),” painted in the 20th century by Yokoyama Taikan, is a particularly renowned work and is a part of the Okura Museum of Art’s collection in Tokyo.
"Yozakura (Night Cherry Blossoms )” was also exhibited at the 1930 Rome Exhibition of Japanese Art, a project based on the strong enthusiasm of promoting Japanese art to the world by Kishichiro Okura, who is a member of the Okura Zaibatsu conglomerate.
From January 23 to March 24, 2024, the Okura Museum of Art held a special exhibition titled “Spring at the Okura Museum of Art– Celebrating the New Year and Awaiting Spring.” The exhibition featured works such as "Night Cherry Blossoms" by Yokoyama Taikan, as well as art pieces celebrating the arrival of spring through motifs of the Japanese zodiac, auspicious symbols and the beauty of nature called Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月) in Japanese.
It will be a perfect opportunity to draw inspiration from the works at the Okura Museum of Art while trying your hand at traditional Japanese painting!
(For more information, please visit the official website of the Okura Museum of Art.)
2. Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting - White-eye -
The Mejiro, also known as the Japanese White-eye, is a small bird commonly found in Japan’s mountainous foothills and urban areas. Measuring about 11.5 cm in size, it is named after the distinctive white ring that surrounds its eyes.
The bird has a yellowish-green back, a white belly and a yellowish throat. Although Japanese White-eyes begin their nesting season in early summer and are often associated with the hot season, the designs in this set features a white-eye surrounded by winter plums.
This is because Japanese white-eyes feed on the nectar of flowers like camellias and plums during the spring. This reference piece is trying to capture one such fleeting moment.
Another bird commonly associated with spring in Japan is the Uguisu, or Japanese Bush Warbler. This bird is slightly larger than the white-eye, measuring about 16 cm in size.There is a well-known Japanese idiom, “ume ni uguisu” (plum blossoms and bush warbler), which is often used as a metaphor to describe a beautifully harmonious or well-matched pair. This phrase reflects how cherished these natural motifs are, similar to the beloved cherry blossom motifs.
3. Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting - Iris -
One of the most iconic motifs in traditional Japanese painting is the Kakitsubata (Japanese iris), written in Chinese character as 杜若. Those who live in Japan or have visited may recognize this elegant flower from the back side of the 5,000 yen bill.
The name Kakitsubata is said to have originated from kakitsuke-bana (書付花), meaning “flower for writing,” as the juice of its petals was once used as dye for fabrics. Since the Heian period, the Kariginu, an informal court robe worn by the nobility, has often been adorned with seasonal color combinations inspired by nature. Among these, a pairing known as Kakitsuba-moku (杜若目), combining Futa-ai (a color of indigo blossom) and Moegi (a soft green evoking fresh young leaves), was especially cherished. This harmonious blend of colors reflects the vibrant renewal of life and the approach of summer.
The most famous artwork of the Japanese iris is “The Irises Screens (Kakitsubata-zu),” a pair of six-panel folding screens by Ogata Kōrin, designated a National Treasure of Japan. This work was created during the Edo period in the 18th century, and a brilliant example of Rinpa school aesthetics that are painted with different tones of natural azurite and malachite pigments on pure gold leaf background.
This masterpiece is a collection of the Nezu Museum in Tokyo. Each year around May, visitors can enjoy real irises in the museum’s garden before stepping inside to see Kōrin’s masterwork.
(For more information, please visit the official website of the Nezu Museum.)
4. Let's Enjoy Japanese Painting - Daurian Redstart -
The Daurian Redstart, known in Japanese as Joubitaki, is a small bird about 14 cm long, roughly the same size as a sparrow. These birds breed in eastern Asia and migrate to Japan in the winter. They feed on insects and berries so can often be found in woodlands, gardens and even farmland.
Their Japanese name has an interesting origin. The “Jou” is thought to refer to silver hair (though there are various theories about its origin), while “bitaki” comes from the sound of the bird’s beak clicking, which resembles the striking of flint.
In traditional Japanese art, birds like the Daurian Redstart (Joubitaki) and White-eye (Mejiro) are frequently paired with seasonal flowers and plants, which is a style known as Kachōga (bird-and-flower painting). This genre has its roots in Chinese Song dynasty painting and was introduced to Japan during the Muromachi period. It has since become a beloved format in both classical and contemporary Japanese art.
In this set, the Daurian Redstart is depicted perched on the branch of a ginkgo tree, capturing a moment typical of late autumn to early winter in Japan. A real-life inspiration for this setting is Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, where rows of golden ginkgo trees create one of the city’s most breathtaking seasonal views between November and December. Despite being located in central Tokyo, the area is rich in greenery and birdlife, so you may be able to find wild birds such as Daurian Redstart.
Whether you’re choosing a motif that fits the time of year or selecting one as a thoughtful birthday gift, each design offers a chance to connect with the seasons through art.
5. Beginners Kit - Cherry Blossom, Camellia, Morning Glory, Bellflower, Winter Peony
If you're curious about Japanese painting but looking for something more accessible than the “Let’s Enjoy Japanese Painting” series, this beginner-friendly kit is a perfect starting point. It allows you to create two postcard-sized artworks (15×10 cm) by coloring in the images of elegant floral designs.
The included pigments vary depending on the flower design and compared to the main “Let’s Enjoy Japanese Painting” series, this kit comes with fewer colors and brushes, so it’s a more affordable option for beginners.
Some motifs are shared with the main series, but these kits also include exclusive designs such as camellias and winter peonies.
One of the most famous camellia paintings is “Camellia Petals Scattering (名樹散椿)” by Hayami Gyoshū. Peonies are cherished not only in Japan but throughout East Asian art. Often depicted alongside mythical creatures like the phoenix (鳳凰, hōō), they symbolize prosperity and good fortune.
To make your gift extra special, PIGMENT TOKYO also offers original laser-cut gift cards. They are available in three charming designs including pine, bamboo and plum. Each card comes with a matching envelope featuring Mount Fuji. When the card is placed inside, its color shines through the cutout, adding a delightful accent to the design.
We invite you to start your journey into Japanese painting with Nakagawa Gofun Enogu’s “Let’s Enjoy Japanese Painting” series or the Beginners Kit!
Perfect for yourself or as a meaningful gift, these sets offer a simple yet inspiring introduction to the rich traditions of Japanese art.
Here is also a useful video link that shows how to make Nihonga’s paint.
【TUTORIAL】How to Dissolve Mineral Pigments
Translated by Atsumi Okano, Nelson Hor Ee Herng
PIGMENT TOKYO Art Materials Experts
Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO
Akira Oya
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.