A characteristic of “iwa-enogu” (mineral pigments) is that many layers of paint can be applied, because they don’t dissolve like water-based paints do. Nihonga (Japanese-style) painters can express great depth and vividness of color by repeatedly painting iwa-enogu layers. While it is very difficult to create ideal colors using this technique, iwa-enogu can still be very beautiful.

Paintings made for framing are often different from ones made for “kakejiku” (hanging scrolls) in how the artist applies iwa-enogu. Iwa-enogu are often heavily applied to paintings for framing, so they can’t be mounted in kakejiku. This is because they may be damaged if you roll them up. Therefore, iwa-enogu are usually lightly applied to kakejiku paintings.

However, the artist Katō Tomo knows a special method for iwa-enogu painting. He can apply iwa-enogu heavily on kakejiku paintings in order to create beautifully colored works that stay undamaged if rolled up.

This painting is very splendid, with rich greenery and transparent water. I have not seen a painter who can express more beautiful tones in kakejiku paintings than Katō.