Enjoy "Kakejiku" hanging scroll
Japanese people like to talk about the weather or the changing of the seasons, because seasonal changes are drastic in Japan,
and we historically have been alive in line with changes in nature.
Now, we are in the rainy season in Japan.
So, when we meet someone in the morning, we absolutely say like this;
"Ohayo gozaimasu, kesa ha sugoi ame desu ne "
It means;
Good morning, it's raining so hard this morning.
Today, we introduce the Kakejiku, called "Hanging scroll" in English, one of the artcrafts we feel and enjoy the changing of season.
■The meaning of Kakejiku, hanging scroll
In Asuka era, between 6th to 8th century, hanging scroll of the picture of Buddha was brought from China. It was the first time that Japanese people saw the hanging scroll. People worshipped the Buddha through the picture on the hanging scroll.
So, at that time, the hanging scroll is thought as the object of worship not for the decorattion in a room.
The times go on to the 12th century, the basic style of hanging scroll was newly brought from China and the style of hanging scroll today has been established.
At the beginning of Muromachi era, 14th century, the style of "Shoin zukuri" was introduced for the residence of Samurai.
"Shoin zukuri" is the style which has square pillars , tatami-mat flooring and various types of sliding doors such as fusuma, shoji, and tokonoma which is one step higher space to put the hanging scroll to worship the Buddha. Originally, it was the place to read books, do calligraphies, and write a letter etc..
"Shoin" contains the meaning of "place to write", so it was only a personal space for resident at first.
However, after 15th century, Shoin zukuri place in the residence was developped for the guest room of Samurai and the place of "tokonoma" became so important to express the respect for guests. This is why, not only the painting of Buddha but also various kinds of painting on the hanging scroll like flowers, fishes, dragons, and landscape helped to make enjoy the visitors of Samurai's resident.
After 17th century, "Kakejiku" hanging scroll has developed among the rich merchant classed people too.
They hold several kinds of scrolls ;
One for celebrating a New Year with the painting of Sun and Mt.Fuji,
One for celebrating a children's growth
and four or five different kinds of paintings ; cherry blossoms, different kinds of flowers seasonal birds and fishes
People changes the "Kakejiku" every time the season changes.
■The figure of "Kakejiku" hanging scroll has a meaning of your own environment
As you know, we have some collections of Kakejiku hanging scroll on the online store, please check here, and please chose one Kakejiku you like.
(We do not force your to buy one, just to check your actual feeling.)
Which scroll did you chose? Cherry blossoms? landscapes or fishes?
Please look following description.
***The meaning of each parts is as follows***
1) 掛緒 Kakeo
String for hanging
2) 半月 Hangetsu
It means" half moon" in the sky.
3) 天 Ten
It means "sky".
4) 風帯 Futai
It means "wind".
The sahpe of Futai is like a thick strips. When the wind blows, "Futai" moves and makes a sound of wind.
5) 露 Tsuyu
It means "dew". After raining some dews drop and gather, it shapes river.
6) 柱 Hashira
It means pillar. "Honshi" (painting, and it means yourself) is supported by pillars.
7) 本紙 Honshi
If it is directly translated, it means " paper which is mainly placed on the Kakejiku".
Generally, we set the paiting or calligraphy paper here.
8) 下 Shita
If it is directly translated, it means "down".Down indicates the soil.
9) 軸先 Jikusaki
Jikusaki is the rod and it means "trees inhabit on the ground".
For example, if you choose a cherry blossoms painting of scroll, you can perceive as follows;
The painting of cherry blossoms shows "about yourself". Over your head beautiful sky and crescent moon. The moon light shine on your softly.
Then the wind is blooming, some dew drops on you(cherry blossoms) quietly and these drops grow up the soil and trees.
If you watch the hanging scroll quietly for several minutes, you may discover beautiful scene and your heart may become peaceful.
If you would like to make calm wind over your head, please choose our collection of weights of hanging scroll.
These weight of hanging scroll is called as "Fuchin", it means "make calm the wind".
Have you enjoyed the world of the "Kakejiku" hanging scroll?
As we are planning to increase the variation of hanging scroll, if you check them constantly, we would be happy.
Thank you for your reading to the end.
Next time, we will introduce how to treat the "Kakejiku" hanging scroll.