Japanese Shikishi Art Board Painting

This vintage Japanese shikishi art board is hand-painted with a blackbird or cormorant on a river stream. This shikishi is signed with a red seal. Cormorants are a popular image in the Gifu area as they are trained and used for fishing on the rivers. This practice is called “ukai”.

There are three basic types of shikishi paper—calligraphy (poem, haiku) only, calligraphy with pictures, and pictures only. Since the Heian period, people have been writing waka and haiku on Shikishi paper (various sizes), but in the Meiji period, they started using paper of the current size. In the current day, shikishi paper/boards are used for autographs of celebrities and also commemorative messages to friends, coworkers, and classmates.

• Black, blue, red, yellow
• Cardstock paper
• C1950
• Item weight: 43 grams
• Packed weight: 243 grams
• Approx. 24.4 cm wide × 27 cm tall
• Fair condition considering age. Stains, discoloration, and wrinkles. Wear and tear due to age. Please see the photos. 
• This piece was purchased at the famous Osu Antique Market in Nagoya, Japan

Shipping: We ship worldwide by Japan Post. Adding this item to your cart shows you the shipping prices and options. We do combine shipping and if the cart does not give you a discount, we will refund any extra shipping paid in the case of overpayment.

About Us: We are Dan and Maiko. Since moving to Japan in 2001, we have gained a vast knowledge of Japanese antiques and vintage items. We are excited to offer you a delightful glimpse of the beauty that Japan has to offer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.