Gold was first discovered in Japan in the eighth century. Emperor Shomu (701 CE–756 CE) used it extensively to gild Buddha statues. The color gold came to evoke a sense of sacredness, nobility, and luxury. Japan places great emphasis on the sense of seasons, and gold is often associated with the bountiful autumn and the New Year, conveying a festive and auspicious atmosphere.

Real gold powder and paint is used in traditional Japanese decorative techniques like maki-e and kinsai for a brilliance and luxurious feel that only this material can bring.