Kakemono Kakejiku | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge｜Tokyo

2021-10-312021-10-31

ZEN circle -Enso-

Golden Enso and Mt. Fuji 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

Zen circle Enso with Japanese Sakura and Pine tree hanging scroll

Extra large Japanese Suibokuga painting Zen circle Enso and Bamboo Kakejiku

Kimono silk Zen circle Enso and Sakura Kakejiku

Extra long Zen circle Enso and bamboo Suibokuga painting kakejiku

2021-06-18

Guardian god Tiger on Kakejiku art

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

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

2021-06-02

Beautiful Crane birds, Japanese good luck symbol

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 Kakejiku — Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Extra large Japanese painting art Kakejiku crane bird

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

2021-04-212021-04-23

Japanese traditional painting art SUIBOKUGA 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.

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

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

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

Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

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

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

Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll

2021-04-162021-04-16

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

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.

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.

I made Emakimono style scroll with Japanese scenery painting.

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

It is woven with silk and making gorgeous patterns.

In the center painting area, I used 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.

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.

2021-03-052021-03-28

Bamboo forests in Tokyo – hidden bamboo forest spots

Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden spots

Finding small Kyoto in Tokyo – hidden Bamboo forest in Tokyo

Bamboo trees symbolize Japanese ZEN culture.

When you are in Bamboo forest, you feel very calm and helps you meditate.

Many bamboo forests are in Kyoto, or secluded area.

But you can find bamboo forests in central Tokyo too.

We would like to share some hidden bamboo forests in Tokyo.

If you are living in Tokyo, or if you visit Tokyo, you can experience small Kyoto in these small bamboo forest.

It is a good cycling day trip as well.

First bamboo forest is “Suzume-no-Yado Ryokuchi park” in Himonya, Meguro ward.

Tokyo bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Ryokuchi park

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Rhokuchi park

This park has many tall bamboo trees and traditional Japanese style house.

The traditional Japanese style house is open from 9:30 to 15:30.

But bamboo trees area is open for 24 hours.

Second bamboo forest is “Roka Koshun-en Gardens” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest guide Roka Koshu-en gardens

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Roka Koshu-en Gardens

It is located near “Roka-Koen station” of Keio line.

It is about 40-50 minutes cycling from central Tokyo.

This park is free, but open hour is 9:00-16:30.

There are lots of tall bamboo trees, cherry trees and a memorial house of a famous Japanese writer, “Roka Tokutomi”.

You can go inside this memorial house, which has Japanese old style, and very interesting.

Third bamboo forest is “Senzoku Ike” in Ota ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofuku ji temple — Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofukuji temple

It is located beside “Senzokuike station” of Tokyu Ikegami line.

There is a big pond with Koi fish, cherry trees and a shrine.

Beside this park, there is a temple called “Myofuku ji”.

This temple has small but beautiful bamboo trees.

Lastly, we want to talk about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Todoroki Keikoku

This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30-40 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo.

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.

Those places are bamboo forest spots that we discovered in Tokyo.

We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”!

Photos below are our Bamboo items.

Extra large landscape bamboo forest Japanese painting art wall decoration

Extra large crystal glass 3D miniature bamboo forest necklace

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor bamboo

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and bamboo — Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and Sakura

Kakejiku style Japanese bamboo painting small wall decoration

Please visit our Etsy shop for those items and more.

Etsy.com- JapanCrossBridge

2021-03-022021-03-28

Kakejiku style wall decoration – Fukuro obi belt

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.FUji Sakura Koi

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor blue koi and nishiki goi with Sakura

Fukuro Obi belts are precious obi belts for Japanese Kimono.

They are usually made with silk, having Japanese patterns.

Shiny silk threads create beautiful and gorgeous looks.

These obi belts can become gorgeous decorations by themselves.

Kakejiku style wall decorations using these Fukuro obi are made to enjoy their own beauty.

Small Japanese paintings are not the main stars here.

Gorgeous Fukuro obi belts are the main stars.

This Kakejiku style wall decorations have their uniqueness- with the combination of Fukuro obi and Japanese painting.

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi fish and pine tree

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Sakura and Koi

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi Sakura bamboo

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor YOZAKURA sakura in full moon night

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.Fuji, crane bird, pine tree

2021-02-042021-03-28

Japanese Kakejiku – good luck item

“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)“ -good luck item

“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)” is a hanging scroll used to display and exhibit paintings and calligraphy art.

Traditional Japanese rooms usually have a “Tokonoma”- a special space (alcove) to display “Kakejiku”.

Most traditional houses used to have at least one Kakejiku to hang in Tokonoma.

Kakejiku has been a well-known cultural item in Japan for long time.

There are a lot of themes for Kakejiku.

Especially paintings have good luck meanings are popular.

“Sunsui ga” – Nature/ Japanese scenery of mountains, river, water fall, trees, rocks

These nature items have important meanings based on ZEN, giving us a relaxing ideal ZEN world.

“Seasonal flowers/plants” – To enjoy four seasons even inside the house, we choose seasonal flowers/plants.

“Tiger” – Tiger is believed to protect against misfortune and brings a good luck. Tiger’s eyes with glares are toward evil.

“Dragon Ryujin” – Dragon is called “Ryujin” and is a god in Japan. It is a symbol of promotion, and Dragon Ryujin going up to the sky has the positive and good luck power.

Mt. Fuji – the highest symbolic mountain in Japan, and being registered as a world heritage.

Mt. Fuji is well known as a sacred mountain. Especially red color Mt. Fuji in the red sunrise is believed to have the strong good luck power.

There are more themes for Kakejiku, and all have special meanings.

By hanging these good luck Kakejiku, the house and the people living there are protected against evil.

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor

Unique Dragon Ryujin Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Red Mt. Fuji with crane birds calligraphy art

2021-01-242021-03-28

Japanese cultural icon Mt. Fuji

Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art

Japanese cultural icon – Mt. Fuji

If you have an interest in Japan, you must have heard this name “Mt. Fuji”.

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.

It’s 3,776.24m (12,389ft), located on Honshu.

Mt. Fuji is an active volcano, last erupted over 300 years ago.

The reason Mt. Fuji is very famous as cultural icon is because of its beautiful shape as well.

It stands on the flat wide area “Kanto plain” with symmetrical cone, and snow-capped on its top with the contrast of white and blue.

Because of its unique shape and height, it is very easy to be seen from even far away.

On a clear day in winter time, Mt. Fuji can be seen from greater Tokyo.

Even a glance of Mt. Fuji makes many Japanese people very happy.

I think that is because Mt. Fuji has been believed to be a symbol of god from its serene appearance.

Looking at Mt. Fuji is a very lucky thing.

Since long time ago, Japanese people loved Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Fuji has been depicted in art and photography.

We find Mt. Fuji in many Japanese paintings, Kakejiku hanging scrolls, ink paintings ”Sumie”, etc.

I love to paint Mt. Fuji as well.

Mt. Fuji has different attractions in different seasons and time.

This simple, yet perfect cone-shaped mountain never stops attracting many people.

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor -landscape Mt. Fuji, crane birds, Sakura

Japanese painting ZEN Mt. Fuji in full moon and Sakura hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decoration

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane bird, Mt. Fuji, Sakura

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms & crane birds hanging scroll

Precious Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji & crane birds in full moon Sakura night hanging scroll

2020-10-232021-03-28

Japanese precious Kimono Obi belt

Kimono is Japanese traditional fashion and culture.

All Japanese people used to wear Kimono every day long time ago, and Kimono was our clothes.

But we wear Kimono only occasionally now, especially on special occasions such as weddings, new years, come of age day cerebration, or tea ceremony.

And Kimono we wear on those special occasions are really gorgeous.

Depends on the seasons, Kimono fabric can be silk, cotton, or wool.

Kimono Obi Belt is inevitable to wear Kimono.

Obi belts are quite wide and stands out in the center of our body, so it is very important.

There are different kinds of Obi belts, called Nagoya-Obi, Fukuro-Obi, Han Haba- Obi.

Han-Haba Obi is used for daily Kimono or Yukata (summer cotton Kimono), and casual.

Nagoya-Obi also can be used for daily Kimono, or Japanese cultural practice such as tea ceremony or flower arrangement.

Fukuro-Obi is the most gorgeous belt and is for weddings or cerebrations.

When you look at Fukuro-Obi, you will see how gorgeous, shiny it is and the pattern is an amazing art.

When you touch Fukuro-Obi, you can feel that Fukuro-Obi is really precious.

Fukuro-Obi can cost a fortune, sometimes over one million yen.

Fukuro Obi is woven with shiny gold, silver thread, silk thread by artisans.

This is totally Japanese amazing culture.

When this precious Kimono Obi belt turns into hanging scroll, it starts another new life.

We are honored to be able to make gorgeous hanging scrolls with them.