Auspicious Mount Fuji Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

The work portrays the majestic presence of Mount Fuji, enveloped in the luminous shimmer of gold leaf. As dawn breaks, the mountain glows with a rare brilliance, while subtle gradations of color infuse the scene with depth and radiance that captivate the viewer.

Executed in a kenpon (silk) mounting, the piece employs ultra-thin sheets of genuine Kanazawa gold leaf, whose surface shimmers with subtle, ever-changing reflections. The addition of shikisai-haku (colored gold leaf) introduces delicate tones and refined gradations that enrich the composition’s brilliance. Developed through countless refinements, this technique imparts to the piece the distinctive expressive power of Kidoguchi’s artistry.

The ridgelines of Mount Fuji are rendered with sculptural precision, conveying both vitality and depth. This effect is enhanced by the hand-applied technique of raised gold leaf, in which layers of aluminum leaf create textured surfaces. When touched by light, these areas reveal subtle shadows and a distinctive brilliance impossible to achieve with flat mediums. As light falls across them, subtle shadows and a distinctive brilliance come to life. The addition of ibushi-shinchu-haku (smoked brass leaf) introduces a mellow patina, 

At the mountain’s base, a sea of golden clouds gathers and drifts, rendered through the honkin-chirashi technique, where scattered flecks of pure gold leaf capture both the glow of dawn and the mountain’s timeless sanctity. The effect imbues the work with dignity and refinement, allowing it to radiate even when viewed from afar.

Graceful yet resplendent, this hanging scroll embodies an elegance that endures across time, imparting to its surroundings the quiet dignity and refined beauty of Japanese artistry.

Kidoguchi Yoshio

As a master craftsman of extraordinary creativity, Kidoguchi Yoshio breathes life into gossamer-thin gold leaf through his skilled hands. Beyond the captivating golden radiance lies the luminous beauty of Japanese art infused with his passion and devotion. In his creations, Kanazawa gold leaf transcends decorative material to become a medium for conveying emotion and thought. With unwavering focus and infinite patience, he captures light and shadow, stillness and movement between layers of gold leaf, crafting an artistic realm that is both elegantly refined and vibrantly alive. His works often appear on kakejiku (or kakemono) hanging scrolls, carrying forward the tradition of Japanese wall art while reimagining it for the present day.

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.