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

Beautiful Crane birds, Japanese good luck symbol

YouTube video crane bird

Crane birds – Japanese good luck symbol

We, Japanese have a deep connection with crane birds since ancient times.

The beautiful crane birds can be seen in many occasions, such as Japanese old stories, music, paintings, and so on.

Crane birds are not just beautiful but also thankful, as they are symbols of long life, prosperity and a good luck.

In Japanese phrases, we have “crane birds live a thousand years, turtles live a ten thousand years”

Also crane bird’s voice is said to reach to the heaven, as they cry loudly.

When crane birds make a couple, they stay forever and never separate.

So we symbolize crane bird couple as “good married couple”.

Especially at weddings, we use crane birds in many situations, for special wedding kimono pattern, for wedding venue decorations, or on celebratory statement.

As crane birds are grateful good luck symbols, we believe that owning something with crane bird motif will bring us a good luck and a healthy long life.

I love to paint these beautiful birds, crane birds on my hanging scrolls too.

crane birds Japanese painting art
crane birds Japanese painting art

Crane birds Japanese painting art Kakejiku
Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Crane bird Japanese painting art
Crane bird Japanese painting art

Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art
Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art
Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Extra large Japanese painting art Kakejiku crane bird
Extra large Japanese painting art Kakejiku crane bird

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style Japanese painting art Crane bird, Sakura, Koi fish
Fukuro obi Kakejiku style Japanese painting art Crane bird, Sakura, Koi fish

 

 

 

World heritage Mt. Fuji

World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga

World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga
World heritage Mt. Fuji picture in Suibokuga

World heritage -Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, the altitude of 3,776m.

It is well known not just in Japan but in the world as the world heritage site.

The reason Mt. Fuji was selected as a World Heritage Site, is not only for its value as a famous mountain of nature and beauty, but also for the faith held by the Japanese in the existence of Mt. Fuji and its value as a source of art born through Mt. Fuji.

Since ancient times, Japanese people felt divinity in Mt. Fuji and admired it as the symbol of spirituality.

They looked up Mt. Fuji and prayed.

How did Mt. Fuji become a mountain of prayer?

Mt. Fuji is the symbol of “mountain worship”.

“Sangaku-shinko ” 山岳信仰”  is a faith worshipping mountains as being sacred.

So what is “Sangaku- shinko” -mountain worship?

Japan is an island country, of around 75% of the land being occupied with mountains and forests.

This fact already made people have strong connections with mountains.

In the old days, the souls of the dead who left their bodies were thought to climb mountains.

When Buddhism was transmitted, people started to believe the souls of the dead climbed the mountain and they would become Buddhas at the summit. As a result, the mountain has come to be regarded as the most sacred place where God and Buddha live together.

There are many shrines in and around mountains, and of course Mt. Fuji also has shrines called “asama shrine”浅間神社“ on its summit and around it as well.

asama shrine
asama shrine

asama shrine
asama shrine

That is because Mt.Fuji is God himself.

On the other hand, Mt. Fuji is a beautiful active volcano.

There has not been a major eruption in the last 300 years since the last eruption of 1707, but it has a history of being feared not only as beautiful but also as a scary mountain.

Asama Shrine, which is scattered throughout the Mt. Fuji area, also has a deep desire to calm the terrible disaster.

In Western Europe, nature, including mountains, should be conquered by the power of God. There is a big difference from Japan, which feels the sign of God and Buddha from rich nature and thinks that the mountain is a god.

That is the reason that Mt. Fuji is very special mountain for Japanese people.

And as a source of art, famous painters and artists left behind their works that were in some way in connection with Mt. Fuji, especially since Edo period.

From folding screen paintings, fusuma paintings, hanging scrolls, the pilgrimage mandala, which is the object of faith, and as well as the decoration of crafts such as costume patterns, daily fixtures, and furnishings, countless figures of Mt. Fuji were drawn.

I myself, love to draw beautiful Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji has the power to captivate a person from a first look.

drawing Mt. Fuji in Suibokuga
drawing Mt. Fuji in Suibokuga

Mt.Fuji in the sunrise painting
Mt.Fuji in the sunrise painting

Mt. Fuji with sakura and Koi fish painting hanging scroll
Mt. Fuji with sakura and Koi fish painting hanging scroll

Mt. Fuji at night on the lake
Japanese painting ZEN禅 with Mt. Fuji

Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art
Gorgeous kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art

 

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.

-ICHIGO ICHIE- ZEN spirit and Japanese tea ceremony

ICHIGO ICHIE 一期一会

ICHIGO ICHIE ZEN spirit
ICHIGO ICHIE (一期一会) ZEN spirit

“ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) 

Have you ever heard phrase “ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) in Japanese?

This is ZEN spirit.

ZEN 禅
ZEN 禅

It means, “once in a life time meeting”.

This spirit comes from the Japanese tea ceremony.

Japanese tea ceremony
Japanese tea ceremony

The Tea ceremony has a deep connection with ZEN spirits.

When I tried the Japanese tea ceremony for the first time, I was surprised that the tea ceremony has so many rules.

Before, I used to think the tea ceremony was just a simple act of making green tea.

But every single movement has to be done followed by rules, such as, which leg you use to step into the room with first, how you hold the tools, where you put your tools, in which angle you move your arms, and how you open the tea container, how you hold the whisk and how you stir, and so on…

It’s just about a process that takes only a few minutes, however there are hundreds of etiquettes.

I was overwhelmed when I took part in the ceremony.

Then I started to wonder, why there are so many rules…

The tea ceremony teacher told me this was because of “ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) – “ZEN spirit.”

Tea ceremony is an occasion when you enjoy every single moment.

The people gathering, the weather, the place, the sound, every element gets together and makes it an unforgettable event.

There is the spirit of “OMOTENASHI”(おもてなし), meaning Japanese Hospitality in this ceremony.

To make the most of the moment with the greatest hospitality,  the tea master tries to do her or his best of making green tea.

For example, purifying the tools followed by the rules, the tea master shows respect to the guests.

That is the reason why there are so many rules.

By following the rules, the best moment is made, and the guests and the master can experience a great “once in a life time moment”.

“ICHIGO ICHIE”(一期一会) teaches us that the exact each moment we meet with others in our life never comes back and only one time, so we should make the most of it and give our best hospitality with appreciation.

Koi fish swimming calligraphy ZEN art

Tokyo Sakura – hidden cherry blossom spots

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom travel guide

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom travel guide
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom travel guide

Cherry blossom season has come!

It’s a little early for popular kind Sakura “Somei Yoshino”(It’s March 4th today), but different kind of Sakura called “Kawazu Zakura” is already blooming in Tokyo.

There are lots of famous spots for Sakura viewing in Tokyo, but we would like to share some not-so-noticed Sakura spots in Tokyo.

These spots are in central Tokyo, so if you are living in Tokyo, or if you are staying in Tokyo, they must be easy places to visit.

Cycling to these places are fun day trips as well!

Today, we would like to share some places where you can enjoy early kind Sakura “Kawazu Zakura”.

Best time to visit for this Sakura is in February, from mid-February to late February.

First place is famous park in Shibuya, Tokyo, called “Yoyogi Park”.

This park is well known as popular “Somei Yoshino” Sakura, but there are some “Kawazu Sakura” too. If you visit there in February, you can enjoy these early Sakura.

Second Sakura spot is “Ebara shrine”, which is located beside Meguro river, near “Shimbamba station” (Keikyu line).

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Ebara shrine
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Ebara shrine

Sakura here is another different kind called “Kanzakura”, and is the earliest Sakura in Tokyo.

You can see this Sakura starts blooming in early February!

Third spot is “Rinshi-no-mori park” in Shinagawa ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park

This is a huge park, and just walking/cycling inside this park is also fun.

“Kawazu Zakura” trees in this park are big and very gorgeous!

You can enjoy having picnic under the cherry blossoms.

Next Sakura spot is “Happo-en” in Minato ward.

“Happo-en” is a luxury event hall for weddings and parties.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en

This has a big and gorgeous Japanese garden.

You can go inside to see this garden for free.

This Japanese garden is worth visiting, having a big Koi pond and many precious Bonzai(Bonsai) trees.

There are so many “Nishiki goi” Koi fish swimming in the koi pond!

You can enjoy this garden in any season.

Lastly, we would like to tell you about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom place travel guide Todoroki keikoku
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom place travel guide Todoroki keikoku

This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo (Meguro).

Or you can go there by train using “Oimachi line” to “Todoroki station”.

In there, you can enjoy nature here, with walking beside the river.

“Keikoku” means valley, and this is a unique small valley that you can experience in Tokyo.

This place has a temple and a Japanese garden area.

In the Japanese garden, there are some bamboo trees, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.

We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”, if you are planning to come visit Tokyo sometime in the future.

We will share not-so-noticed spots for “Somei Yoshino” Sakura in Tokyo soon!

Photos below are our Sakura jewelry.

You can enjoy your own cherry blossom in accessories.

Please visit our shop on Etsy, JapanCrossBridge!

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom jewelry Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry on Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom jewelry on Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom jewelry Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop
Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry Etsy shop

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JapanCrossBridge