Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

Ko Ushijima is one of the more skillful of a new generation of artists seeking to reinvent the traditions of Japanese-style painting, or nihonga. The Kanazawa-based Ushijima applies handmade Japanese washi paper to boards, and then creates line and ink drawings that he brings to life with richly colored nihonga pigments and silver and gold leaf. His works can be seen concurrently at Nadiff in Ebisu in the exhibition “Suigetsu” (Water Moon), and at the National Art Center, Tokyo, where he is a finalist in the “Shell Art Award” show for emerging artists.

Traumaris Space. Dec 11-28., free. Open Tue-Sat 4pm-midnight, Sun 2-10pm, closed Mon. 3F Ebisu Nadiff, 1-18-4 Ebisu. Nearest stn: Ebisu.,

Shell Art Award, National Art Center, Tokyo, Dec 11-23, ¥200-400. Open Wed-Thu, Sat-Mon 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-8pm, closed Tue. 7-22-2 Roppongi. Nearest stn: Nogizaka