Shikishi — Small Japanese Paintings and Calligraphy Panels

Shikishi are the most Japanese form of painting — miniature art panels that combine brushwork, poetry, and calligraphy in a compact square format. Originating in the Heian period (9th–12th centuries), shikishi reflect the aesthetics of minimalism and the philosophy of Zen. Our gallery presents a growing archive of these small Japanese paintings, including works that are part of the collection today as well as rare shikishi that once passed through our hands.