tiger painting | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge

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

2021-04-212021-04-23

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

2021-02-042021-03-28

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.