If you have Japanese artist friends, plan to study art, or pursue a career in art in Japan, then you might want to know some Japanese vocabulary related to arts — more specifically, visual art. Japan has a rich history in the arts, from the ukiyo-e works of Hokusai to more recent manga and anime. Talking about art in Japanese can be a great way to connect with the Japanese artist community as well!
We’ll start off with some general vocabulary related to colors, art forms, and even historical art styles, but we will also talk about buying art supplies in Japanese, so that next time you want to create art in Japan, you’ll know what to buy. For aspiring manga artists wanting to create their own manga in Japan, stick around for a surprise!
Japanese General Art-Related Vocabulary
This vocabulary list covers basic art terms in Japanese, but we’ve also included the different art forms you might see at an art gallery.
| Japanese (Romaji) | Kanji | English |
| e | 絵 | Picture |
| bijutsusha | 美術者 | Artist |
| bijutsu | 美術 | Art |
| bijutsukan | 美術館 | Art gallery |
| irasuto | イラスト | Illustration |
| kaiga | 絵画 | Painting |
| shouzouka | 肖像画 | Portrait |
| fuukeika | 風景画 | Landscape |
| seramikku | セラミック | Ceramics |
| choukoku | 彫刻 | Sculpture |
| shishuu | 刺繍 | Embroidery |
| gurafikku dezain | グラフィックデザイン | Graphic design |
| dessan | デッサン | Sketch |
| sukecchi | スケッチ | Sketch |
| satsuei | 撮影 | Photography |
| shashin | 写真 | Photograph |
| eiga | 映画 | Film, movie |
| hanga | 版画 | Art print |
| kenchiku | 建築 | Architecture |
| insutareeshon | インスタレーション | Art installation |
| dejitaaru aato | デジタルアート | Digital art |
| mikusu media | ミクスメディア | Mixed media |
| rakugaki | 落書き | Graffiti |
Japanese Vocabulary List Related to Historical Art Styles
This vocabulary list covers most of the historical painting styles you might see at an art museum, such as the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. Whether you’re studying art history or just want to talk about specific art periods, these terms might help you to understand.
| Japanese (romaji) | Kana | English |
| inshouha | 印象派 | Impressionism |
| posuto inshouha | ポスト印象派 | Post-impressionism |
| runesansu bijutsu | ルネサンス美術 | Renaissance art |
| chuusei bijutsu | 中世美術 | Medieval art |
| barokku | バロック絵画 | Baroque painting |
| rokoko | ロココ美術 | Rococo art |
| kyubisumu | キュビスム | Cubism |
| chuushou kaiga | 抽象絵画 | Abstract painting |
| poppu aato | ポップアート | Pop art |
| shurureasumu | シュルレアスム | Surrealism |
Vocabulary Related to Japanese Traditional Art
This vocabulary list covers most words related to traditional Japanese visual art and sculpture. Note that when we talk about schools of art, we are talking about a style of art, not an actual school.
| Japanese (romaji) | Kana | English |
| rinpa | 琳派 | Rimpa (school of art) |
| kanouha | 狩野派 | Kano (school of art) |
| nanga (bujinga) | 南画（文人画） | Southern (literati) (school of art) |
| zenga | 禅画 | Zen Buddhist (school of art) |
| shodou | 書道 | Japanese Calligraphy |
| doguu | 土偶 | Earthen figure |
| haniwa | 埴輪 | Terracotta clay figures |
| ukiyo e | 浮世絵 | Ukiyo-e prints |
| moku hanga | 木版画 | Woodblock printing |
| toujiki | 陶磁器 | Japanese pottery |
| nihon shikki | 日本漆器 | Japanese lacquerware |
Colors in Japanese
You might find yourself talking about specific colors when discussing a specific art piece. We’ve compiled most of, if not all basic colors that you might hear often.
| Japanese (Romaji) | Kanji | English |
| aka iro | 赤色 | Red |
| orenji iro | オレンジ色 | Orange |
| ki iro | 黄色 | Yellow |
| midori iro | 緑色 | Green |
| ao iro | 青色 | Blue |
| murasaki iro | 紫色 | Purple |
| shiro iro | 白色 | White |
| kuro iro | 黒色 | Black |
| pinku iro | ピンク色 | Pink |
| cha iro | 茶色 | Brown |
Read More: Colors in Japanese
Japanese Vocabulary for Buying Art Supplies
From buying specific types of paints to procuring other art mediums, this Japanese vocabulary list contains almost all types of art supplies you might see at an art store. If you’re looking to go to an art store such as Sekaido, this list might come in handy.
| Japanese (Romaji) | Kanji/Kana | English |
| akuriru e no gu | アクリル絵具 | Acrylic paint |
| suisai e no gu | 水彩絵具 | Watercolor paint |
| abura e no gu | 油絵具 | Oil paint |
| gasshu | ガッシュ | Gouache |
| paretto | パレット | Palette |
| fude | 筆 | Brush |
| suihitsu | 水筆 | Water brush |
| shodou fude | 書道筆 | Calligraphy brush |
| peintingu naifu | ペインティングナイフ | Painting knife |
| kureyon | クレヨン | Crayons |
| oiru pasuteru | オイルパステル | Oil pastel |
| maakaa | マーカー | Marker |
| mokutan | 木炭 | Charcoal |
| enpitsu | 鉛筆 | Pencil |
| iro enpitsu | 色鉛筆 | Color pencil |
| shapen | シャペン | Mechanical pencil |
| pen | ペン | Pen |
| fude pen | 筆ペン | Brush pen |
| mannen hitsu | 万年筆 | Fountain pen |
| garasu pen | ガラスペン | Glass pen |
| keshigomu | 消しゴム | Eraser |
| kyanbasu | キャンバス | Canvas |
| iizeru | イーゼル | Easel |
| sukecchibukku | スケッチブック | Sketchbook |
| inku | インク | Ink |
| moderu | モデル | Mannequin |
| iromi bonchou | 色見本帳 | Color swatch book |
| hasami | はさみ | Scissors |
| kattaa | カッター | Box cutter |
| tagane | 鑽 | Chisel |
| nendo | 粘土 | Clay |
| tekisuchaa tsuuru | テクスチャーツール | Texture tools (for modeling with clay) |
| kami | 紙 | Paper |
| pootoforio | ポートフォリオ | Portfolio |
| aato hon | アート本 | Art book |
Japanese Vocabulary for Manga Artists
Learning how to create manga in Japanese? This vocabulary list covers all things related to creating manga, as well as essential supplies needed to create your own manga. We’ve also included the different types of nibs manga artists use for their dip pens, as well as some terms used to describe different parts of manga manuscript paper.
| Japanese (Romaji) | Kanji | English |
| e konte | 絵コンテ | Storyboard |
| toon | トーン | Screentone |
| tsuke pen | つけペン | Dip pen |
| G pen | Gペン | G nib |
| saji pen | サジペン | Spoon nib |
| sukuuru pen | スクールペン | School nib |
| nihonji pen | 日本字ペン | Japanese nib |
| maru pen | 丸ペン | Mapping nib |
| genkou youshi | 原稿用紙 | Manuscript paper |
| purotto | プロット | Plot |
| neemu | ネーム | Storyboard |
| shitagaki | 下書き | Rough sketch |
| pen ire | ペン入れ | Inking |
| toon sagyou | トーン作業 | Applying screentones |
| hyoushi | 表紙 | Cover |
| uchiwaku | 内枠 | Inner frame |
| tachikiri sen | 断ち切り線 | Cut-off line |
| sotowaku | 外枠 | Outer frame |
Conclusion: Talking about art in Japan shouldn’t be intimidating!
Creating and appreciating art in Japan shouldn’t feel intimidating. We hope that this list will give you some ideas on how to talk about art in Japanese to your artist friends, and we hope that you are able to navigate through an art store in Japan as well. Good luck and happy creating!
Learn Japanese with Coto Academy!
If you have always wanted to work in Japan as an artist, one of the things you need to do is learn Japanese. Now, you can join flexible Japanese lessons designed for adults at Coto Academy, a top language school with locations in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, Iidabashi, and Minato.
Interested in joining intensive or part-time Japanese lessons? Contact us below to get in touch with our friendly staff!
Want to study Japanese with us?
FAQ
Where can I go to see art exhibitions in Japan?
There are plenty of art museums and galleries, such as the National Art Center and the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. There are also modern art museums, such as the Mori Art Museum, as well.
What do you call an artist in Japanese?
When referring to artists in Japanese, most people say “sensei” to show respect, as they are considered to be masters in their craft. For example, a manga artist might be called “sensei” due to their work.
Where can I buy art supplies in Japan?
Try shops like Sekaido, dedicated to art supplies. Some stationery stores, such as Itoya, have dedicated sections or floors related to art supplies.
Read more: