Gofun Shirayuki, genuine oyster shell white

Genuine Oyster Shell White

The foundational white of traditional Japanese arts and crafts. Sourced from the last remaining manufacturer in Kyoto, genuine Gofun Shirayuki is the result of a slow, decades-long collaboration with nature.

Harvested oyster shells are piled by the sea, where the warm, humid climate acts as a natural crucible. Over a span of five to ten years, the organic matter entirely decomposes, leaving behind only the purest, pearl-white mineral flakes. These flakes are painstakingly ground and graded by size to create a white of unparalleled subtlety. When mixed with rabbit skin glue, applied to a sized surface, and burnished with an agate stone, Gofun yields a brilliant, polished ground that defines the aesthetic of historical Japanese painting.