Calcium carbonate: Ukiyo-e colorant

Calcium carbonate 胡粉 (gofun): A white powder that can occur in three crystalline forms: Calcite (hexagonal-rhombohedral), Aragonite (orthorhombic) and Vaterite. Calcium carbonate occurs naturally in many forms such as Chalk, Limestone, Marble and sea shells. In Japan, the source is sea shells.

Calcium carbonate can be difficult to confirm as a printed color since the water used in papermaking can have a high concentrations of calcium; also it was sometimes used as an additive in the paper.

Calcium carbonate has been found mixed with carbon black to create a wide range of gray tones that can appear as a pale blue color. Extensive use of calcium carbonate is found on Harunobu’s mizu-e (水絵) or water prints of the 1760s which are images printed with no or faintly printed outlines. Sometimes a calcium carbonate paint was spattered across the surface of a completed print in order to approximate the appearance of snow or sea spray.

For additional information see: Calcium carbonate

Examples of Calcium carbonate in Ukiyo-e Prints

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Beauties of the Yoshiwara by Suzuki Harunobu

Analysis

X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect calcium (Ca), which in a white area, is an indication for the presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).

• 

  XRF plot for Chalk

Images of Calcium carbonate

• 

  Gofun, by Musashino Art University

• 

  Weathered oyster shells (Ostrea denselamellosa), by Central Japan Railway Company

• 

  Calcium carbonate, by National Museum of American History

List of Prints

Below is a list of prints where calcium carbonate was detected.