distemper; powdered paint; colour wash
Refers to a type of paint made from powdered pigments mixed with a binder such as glue or size, used in traditional Japanese painting and decorative work. The English glosses 'distemper' and 'colour wash' describe similar techniques, but the Japanese term is specifically associated with traditional materials.
In Japanese-style painting, distemper (powdered pigments) is often used.
This mural is painted with distemper.
Compound of 泥 (どろ, 'mud') + 絵の具 (えのぐ, 'paint'). The 泥 here refers to the paste-like consistency of the prepared paint, not literal mud.