Cranes and Turtles Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

Beneath a pale rising sun, a pair of red-crowned cranes stand side by side, while two turtles rest at their feet. Pine branches frame the scene from above and white plum blossoms open beside the birds, all set against a warm, softly hazed background.

Screen-printed on silk and finished with hand-applied color, this auspicious hanging scroll captures the fine detail of each feather, from snowy wings to ink-dark tail plumes.

In Chinese painting, pine, bamboo, and plum are known collectively as saikan no sanyu (“Three Friends of Winter”) in Japanese. Retaining their beauty and vitality even in the harshest winter, these plants have become symbols of good fortune and celebration in Japan.

The crane and turtle carry a wish for a long and healthy life, echoing the saying tsuru wa sennen, kame wa mannen (“the crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand”). Tradition holds that the crane earned its thousand years by resting on the branches of a thousand-year-old pine. The turtle, meanwhile, is associated with ten thousand years because those living in Mannen-ike (“Ten-Thousand-Year Pond”) were believed to enjoy exceptional longevity.

The sun, a sign of new beginnings and prosperity, makes the scroll a traditional choice for New Year celebrations and engagement ceremonies.

The artist, Asano Juho, born in 1949 in Gifu Prefecture, specializes in nihonga, traditional Japanese-style painting, and is particularly known for his depictions of flowers and birds. He has been listed in Bijutsu Nenkan (Art Annual) and has participated in open-call, solo, and group exhibitions.

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.