Mica: Ukiyo-e colorant

Mica 雲母 (kira or unmo): A group of silicate minerals that cleave into thin, flexible sheets. It is ground into a powder for use on ukiyo-e prints. Powdered mica can be printed or sprinkled to create a shimmering effect. Paste or animal glue (膠 nikawa) would be used to affix the mica. Mica can appear in a variety of tones depending on its origin, preparation or if it is applied over a printed color. On its own it is a pearlescent white but mica can also be mixed with a colorant to make colored mica. Pink, mica and a red colorant or dark gray, mica and carbon black are the commonly found colored micas.

Large fields of mica appears most frequently on prints made during the late 18th century that depicted actors and beautiful women where it was used on the background to highlight the figure.

For additional information see: Mica