At first, Ekin's works attract people with their weird atmosphere. However, surprisingly high techniques are hidden in them. Let's search for the world of Ekin Arts from various angles.

JIGAMI (GROUND PAPER) Ekin's Byobu-e (pictures on paper folding screens) and Fusuma-e (pictures on paper sliding doors) were painted on a traditional Kochi made paper called"Jigami." After folding screens were made, Ekin directly painted on the paper. Without a rough sketch, he painted at a stroke. His sketch skill was a genius. After Ekin drew the first sketch and the chief motif, both he and his students worked together to finish the work.

DORO-E (MUD PAINTING) By mixing poster colors imported from Netherland with "Nikawa"(glue) which was made from animal fat, Ekin protected colors from fading. This method called"Doro-e"is what Ekin learned from"Kano School"painting.

FACES HANDS AND LEGS It is said that a close look at the faces, hands and legs of the characters described in the picture will tell you whether it was actually painted by Ekin or not. Ekin described his characters stretching their hands and legs strongly at speedy strokes.

SHIBAI-E (DRAMA PICTURES) In those days, just like Ekin's pictures, people actually saw necks being cut off, a lot of bleeding, and even guts jumping out of the body in the scene of Harakiri on Kabuki stages, which was made possible by using various tricks. Ekin was excellent in the way he spread several scenes of a drama in one picture, which shows his unique talent in graphic structuring.

SAKAGURA ("SAKE"STOREHOUSE) Ekin's studio was a"sake"storehouse. The liquor storehouse is large with flat floor, and the temperature and humidity are always kept proper there. Thus, the storehouse which was offered Ekin by his patrons, the merchants of Akaoka Town, was the best environment for him to draw pictures.

Come on! Artfreaks.(Newsgroup)