dedication my Kakejiku Ryu painting to Ryu temple

Ryu Kakejiku dedicated to temple
Ryu Kakejiku dedicated to temple
Ryu kakejiku and the priest
Ryu kakejiku and the priest
Holy Ryu dragon painting kakejiku
Holy Ryu dragon painting kakejiku

I had a grateful opportunity to dedicate my RYU painting kakejiku to RYU temple.

With the early morning prayer by the head priest, and meditation, I had a precious moment at the temple.

It is such an honor to be able to dedicate my RYUJIN painting to the temple that has deep connections with RYUJIN.

Thank you so much.

47th ZEN art selected Ginza Exhibition 2022

47th ZEN Art Selected Ginza Exhibition was held from April 12th to April 17th in Ginza, Tokyo.

Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Zen art selected Ginza exhibition
Zen art selected Ginza exhibition

Silk kimono obi Kakejiku hanging scroll Japanese painting art
Silk kimono obi Kakejiku hanging scroll Japanese painting art

Silk kimono obi Kakejiku hanging scroll Japanese painting art
Silk kimono obi Kakejiku hanging scroll Japanese painting art

ZEN art selected Ginza exhibition
ZEN art selected Ginza exhibition

ZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionZEN art selected Ginza exhibitionIt was a wonderful experience, thank you so much!!

2022 Shihomi Solo Exhibition in Tokyo “ZEN・SAKURA EXHIBITION”

2022 Shihomi Solo Exhibition YouTube

2022 March solo exhibition in Tokyo
2022 March solo exhibition in Tokyo

I love to make cherry blossom themed artworks, so I wanted to hold my solo exhibition during the cherry blossom season.  I am really grateful that I could hold my first solo exhibition in a nostalgic Japanese old house near Meguro river, Tokyo, where cherry blossoms are really famous.  This exhibition is already one of my best memories.

2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition

2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition

2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition
2022 Shihomi Homma Solo exhibition

ZEN art exhibition

ZEN art exhibition information

ZEN art exhibition information
ZEN art exhibition information

We are participating in ZEN art exhibition, coming November 17th~21st, 2021.

It is held at bono Sagami-Ono, South mall 3rd floor, (beside Sagami-Ono station)

Sagamihara city, Kanagawa prefecture : about 30 mins by Odakyu-line rapid-express from Shinjuku station

November 17, 15:00-17:30

November 18~20, 10:00-17:30

November 21, 10:00-14:30

Free admission

Our artwork will be 3 Kakejiku hanging scroll Suibokuga Japanese paintings, with my name Shihomi Homma (本間志穂美)(Japan Cross Bridge).

I myself will try to be at the venue. I hope to see you there!

ZEN circle -Enso-

Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku

zen circle Enso Japanese painting kakejiku
zen circle Enso Japanese painting kakejiku

ZEN circle ENSO

Zen circle is called “Enso”.(円相)

Sometimes different “Kanji”(Chinese character) 円窓 is used for “Enso”, represents “round window”, which means our mind’s window.

Enso is one of Sumi ink painting (Japanese calligraphy) in Zen.

Usually it is drawn in one brushstroke, and is sometimes called “Ichienzu”(一円図)、”Ichienso”(一円相).

~Enso symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe and “mu”(無)(meaning void).  It is characterized by a minimalism born of Japanese aesthetics.~

*Quaoted from Wikipedia

Japanese aesthetics seeking for simplicity is called Wabi-sabi.

Wabi expresses the happiness and mental abundance in the imperfect (hard) circumstances.

Sabi expresses the beauty we can find in imperfection.

So Wabi can be a symbol of inner abundance, and Sabi can be a symbol of outer beauty(simplicity).

When you draw Enso, you have to draw it in one brushstroke, meaning there is no time to stop, no chance to fix.

It is the moment when the mind should be free, and let go of everything.

This is ZEN meditation practice.

In other words, this spiritual practice of drawing Enso is the practice of self-realization.

Sometimes Enso circle is open, which means incomplete.

This incomplete allows more movement, development and practice.

When Enso circle is closed, which represents perfection.

However, how you look at Enso circle and what you have in your mind by looking at it, is totally up to you.

Enso circle is simple, yet really profound and teaches us a lot.

It never stops attracting us, because our entire life is a long trip of self-realization.

I love to draw Enso circle, but at the same time, I love to look at Enso.

Looking at Enso circle is a good meditation.

Gold ZEN circle Enso Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll
Gold ZEN circle Enso Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Zen circle Enso with Japanese Sakura and Pine tree hanging scroll
Zen circle Enso with Japanese Sakura and Pine tree hanging scroll

Zen circle with Koi fish painting
Zen circle with Koi fish painting

Extra large Japanese Suibokuga painting Zen circle Enso and Bamboo Kakejiku
Extra large Japanese Suibokuga painting Zen circle Enso and Bamboo Kakejiku

Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku
Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji Japanese painting Kakejiku

Kimono silk Zen circle Enso and Sakura Kakejiku
Kimono silk Zen circle Enso and Sakura Kakejiku

Extra long Zen circle Enso and bamboo Suibokuga painting kakejiku
Extra long Zen circle Enso and bamboo Suibokuga painting kakejiku

Guardian god Tiger on Kakejiku art

Tiger painting
Good luck Tiger painting art Kakejiku

Tiger on Kakejiku art

Tigers are one of the very popular subjects on Japanese Kakejiku art.

Kakejiku is Japanese traditional hanging scroll.

It is hung on the wall in Japanese style room, especially on alcove “Tokonoma”, since ancient time.

Tiger is a powerful animal, and Tiger painting on kakejiku has an important meaning.

When tiger is glaring at this way, that means tiger is glaring at the evil in your place.

Tiger’s powerful eyes are believed to have the power to beat the evil.

So tiger’s scary expression is protecting your place and the people living in your place.

Tiger painting Kakejiku has a strong good luck power.

Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll
Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku
Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGA 水墨画

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGO 水墨画

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGO 水墨画
Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGO 水墨画

Suibokuga (水墨画)- Japanese traditional painting art

Suibokuga is sometimes called Zen Painting.

Sumie is painting with ink.

And Suibokuga is one of Sumie painting, with the gradation of dark black to light black.

Main tool for Suibokuga, “Sumi ink” is made from mainly soot, animal glue, and perfume.

sumi ink 墨
sumi ink 墨

We add a little water into an inkstone (suzuri) and rub sumi ink, it becomes dark black color.

Ink stone SUZURI 硯
Ink stone SUZURI 硯

rub ink with ink stone
rub ink with ink stone

By mixing this black ink with water, we can create the gradation color of black to light grey.

mixing ink with water to make gradation color
mixing ink with water to make gradation color

gradation black color
gradation black color

In Japan, Suibokuga is not just about paintings drawn with only ink, but we include some colored paintings drawn with mainly ink and some pigments also.

Sumie: The way of painting with ink was already in Japan since Nara period (710 – 794).

And Suibokuga style was brought in Japan at around Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), then became very popular especially at around Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), as Suibokuga style paintings were deeply connected with ZEN temples.

Until 14C, the subjects of Suibokuga were humans called “Jinbutsu ga” (人物画) , and flowers and birds called “Kacho ga” (花鳥画).

In 15C, “Sansuiga”(山水画) , meaning “mountains and water paintings” became popular.

Subjects of this Sansuiga is  nature, such as mountains and water falls, rocks, trees etc.

I love to paint Japanese nature and symbols in Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry trees, bamboo tees, pine trees, Mt. Fuji, crane birds, and koi fish.

Sometimes tigers and Ryujin dragon god as well.

Tigers and Ryujin dragon god are also very popular subjects for Suibokuga.

I love to express Japanese beauty with the amazing gradation of ink with some colors.

That is my Suibokuga.

Sakura cherry blossoms painting art Kimono silk kakejiku
Sakura cherry blossoms painting art Kimono silk kakejiku

Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll
Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

Extra-large Mt.Fuji and Japanese Pine tree hanging scroll, Impressive landscape ZEN style wall decor
Extra-large Mt.Fuji and Japanese Pine tree hanging scroll, Impressive landscape ZEN style wall decor

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi Japanese painting Mt. Fuji, crane birds, pine tree wall decor
Gorgeous Kimono silk obi Japanese painting Mt. Fuji, crane birds, pine tree wall decor

Japanese painting calligraphy art Kakejiku style wall decoration
Japanese painting of Koi fish in ZEN circle, Enso

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane birds, Mt.Fuji, Japanese pine tree
Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane birds, Mt.Fuji, Japanese pine tree

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku
Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll
Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll
Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll

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Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物 scrolls and landscape scenery scroll

Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll

Emakimono style landscape Japanese scenery painting art scroll
Emakimono style landscape Japanese scenery painting art scroll

Japanese EMAKIMONO style hanging scroll

First of all, what is EMAKIMONO??

Emakimono – “E” means “pictures”, “makimono” means “scroll” in Japanese.

Emakimono is a Japanese traditional horizontal scroll which tells stories with pictures.

Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物
Japanese traditional Emakimono 絵巻物

Old Emakimono
Old Emakimono

From right side, we unroll the scroll to the left, and illustrations tell you Japanese narrative.

So Emakimono usually is a few meters long, sometimes even 20 meters long!

The oldest Emakimono that still exists is believed to made in Nara period, AD 710 to 794.

oldest EMAKIMONO
one of the oldest EMAKIMONO

I made Emakimono style scroll with Japanese scenery painting.

Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll
Making Emakimono style Japanese scenery painting art scroll

To make this unique scroll, I used Precious Kimono silk obi belt for both ends.

It is woven with silk and making gorgeous patterns.

precious Kimono silk obi belt
precious Kimono silk obi belt

In the center painting area, I used white silk kimono fabric.

white silk kimono fabric
white silk kimono fabric

This white silk fabric is thin and soft, so I attached Special Japanese paper called “urauchi youshi”, on the back to make it stronger and harder.

This special paper has glue on one side and by ironing, I can attach this paper to the silk fabric.

I made this scroll with 2 meters long, so this can be hung on the wall in the rooms easily.

This Emakimono style horizontal scroll allows me to draw Japanese landscape scenery.

Painting landscape Japanese scenery
Painting landscape Japanese scenery

I really love to draw Japanese symbols, especially Mt. Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms, Bamboo, and Koi fish.

Those symbols express Japanese beauty, and every time I draw them, I find myself being in love with them more and more.

In the past, I painted these symbols a lot on Usual Kakejiku hanging scrolls (Vertical scroll), but especially this horizontal scroll has enough space for me to draw all in here.

That’s what I wanted to make.