Powder pigments
These are the pigments used by most traditional Japanese printmakers. To be used, they should be ground in a small mortar (or on a glass plate) and then blended with water to the dilution wanted. If desired, they may be 'thickened' with nikawa (Japanese gelatin glue) or gum arabic. Of course, they may be mixed together to produce an infinite range of tones.
Working Hint: Some of the more fine powders blend with water much more easily if they are first moistened with a touch of alcohol.
Special Notice: we are sorry, but we can no longer accept orders for these pigments for shipment overseas (terrorist restrictions on parcels, etc.). We have no idea when these restrictions will be lifted. This page is now closed ...
In the following table, each colour swatch is followed by a price code (A ~ E). The pigments are sold in 10-gram bags, at the following prices (per ten grams):
- A = 2.71
- B = 3.14
- C = 3.57
- D = 4.00
- E = 4.43
When selecting a quantity for each pigment, you are selecting the number of 10-gram bags. (e.g. if you want 50 grams, select '5'.)
Please note - the colours you see in this table are being created by your browser, based on colour codes taken from the original samples. We have tested this chart with various computers and have found that the colours are very close to the original pigment shades, but if your monitor is not calibrated accurately, what you see may differ somewhat in hue or intensity from the real pigments. Images of the manufacturer's colour swatch sheet - which is made with the actual pigments themselves - are here:
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