Exploring the Art of Etegami in the Digital Age

Etegami, meaning “picture letters,” is a Japanese folk art that combines simple, hand-painted images with thoughtful or poetic phrases. This tradition began in the mid-20th century, inspired by calligrapher and artist Kunio Koike, who emphasized creating art that feels approachable and warm. Etegami typically features natural subjects like flowers, animals, or seasonal items, and each piece often conveys a personal message, making it a uniquely heartfelt form of expression that can be shared with others, much like a postcard.

Traditionally, Etegami artists use simple materials: sumi ink for outlines, gansai (Japanese watercolor paints) for color, and washi (Japanese paper) as a canvas. These materials are chosen for their natural, organic feel, which adds to the charm and authenticity of each piece. The brushwork in Etegami is intentionally loose and imperfect, embracing the Japanese concept of “wabi-sabi,” or beauty in imperfection.

In recent years, digital tablets have breathed new life into Etegami, allowing artists to preserve the style while using digital brushes and textures. With programs like Sketchbook or Procreate, artists can replicate the textured look of sumi ink and watercolor while enjoying the flexibility of digital editing. For this blog post, I created three Etegami pieces using Sketchbook on my Android tablet. Although digital, these artworks aim to retain the spirit of Etegami, blending tradition with modern technology to keep this unique art form alive and accessible to a new generation of creators.