Auspicious Bamboo Grove Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

This hanging scroll features bamboo, an enduring symbol of resilience and strength in Japanese culture. Growing straight toward the sun, bamboo embodies unwavering resolve and purposeful growth. Its flexible yet unyielding form speaks to the ability to weather hardship and return with dignity.

In the foreground, two thick bamboo stalks are arranged to echo the shape of kanji “person” (人), each one representing an individual path through life. The varying positions of the nodes symbolize personal milestones and turning points. Where the stalks intersect, a hidden character, “en” (縁), meaning connection or fate, appears subtly, expressing a wish for meaningful bonds and auspicious encounters.

In the distance, a single golden node glimmers on one of the stalks, an allusion to The Tale of Princess Kaguya. This golden accent suggests prosperity and the enduring hope for future generations.

The scroll’s mounting features a pine-patterned design in the chumawashi "middle enclosure" part and a plum motif at the Ichimonji "fabrics attached to above and below main work", completing the classic auspicious trio known as shochikubai—pine, bamboo, and plum—long associated with celebration, endurance, and good fortune. Designed for year-round display, this piece offers a gentle presence, one that invites reflection, calm, and hope.

The artist, Suzuki Yuri, born in 1968 in Gifu Prefecture, is celebrated for her delicate, contemplative style. Her work spans poetic depictions of birds and flowers, refined classical motifs, expressive portraits, and animal scenes. A member of the Bokusai-kai (Ink and Color Painting Association), she has received numerous accolades, including selection for the 5th Maeda Seisou Memorial Grand Prize. Her paintings have also been featured in the esteemed art journal Bijutsu Nenkan (Art Annual).

Kaitakudo Art

Founded in Gifu, a region renowned for its rich Mino washi heritage, Kaitakudo Art has been crafting kakejiku, Japanese hanging scrolls, for over fifty years. Their work is supported by skilled artisans, including nationally certified first-grade specialists in traditional art mounting who uphold time-honored techniques. From planning and mounting to retail, they oversee the entire process in-house, ensuring consistent quality at every step. 

While preserving tradition, they continue to explore new possibilities for kakejiku—developing styles that suit modern interiors and sharing the beauty of Japanese art with the world.

Kakejiku Hanging Scrolls

Japanese hanging scrolls, known as kakejiku or kakemono, are a traditional form of Japanese wall art that has been cherished for over a thousand years. Featuring Japanese calligraphy, seasonal motifs, or paintings, each scroll is crafted with refined techniques that reflect the beauty of nature and culture.

Versatile and timeless, they can be displayed in homes, tea rooms, or modern interiors, and are often referred to as picture scrolls or Japanese scrolls. Their lightweight form makes them easy to roll, store, and rotate with the season or occasion. As an enduring expression of Japanese wall art, hanging scrolls bring harmony to any space.