Sparrows and Bamboo with Calligraphy Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

Quiet scenery and Zen words resonate with one another in this hanging scroll, leaving the space with a calm, lingering afterglow. The striking circle at the top of the composition is rendered as a symbol of a “window.” Beyond it, the world seems to open outward, so that when the scroll is hung, it can feel as though an additional window has appeared within the room.

Near the window, two sparrows perch on a bamboo branch. They look almost as if they’re exchanging words, lending the entire work a gentle presence. In Japanese culture, sparrows have long been regarded as auspicious motifs, associated with family safety and the flourishing of descendants. Bamboo, depicted alongside them, is another traditional emblem of good fortune: rooted deep in the earth and growing straight, joint by joint, it signifies resilient vitality and steady growth. Together, bamboo and sparrows form a classic, well-loved pairing in auspicious Japanese imagery.

At the center is the Zen phrase “Every Day is a Good Day,” often understood as a reminder to live each day with care. The calligraphy is painted with ink mixed with metallic pigment; as it dries, a soft gold sheen gradually surfaces. The effect shifts with the angle of light, offering a changing expression and a different mood over time.

The artist, Kimura Ryohei, is a Japanese-style painter from Kagoshima Prefecture, born in 1958. Now based in Gifu, he continues to pursue expression through washi paper and bokusaiga (ink-and-color painting), working with motifs such as birds and flowers, landscapes, and figures as a member of the Bokusai-kai (Ink and Color Painting Association)

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.