Sparrows and Sakura with Calligraphy Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

This hanging scroll brings together the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms and the Zen phrase ichi-go ichi-e (a once-in-a-lifetime encounter), quietly conveying the value of each unrepeatable encounter. The striking circle at the top of the composition is rendered as a symbolic “window.” Beyond it, an exterior landscape seems to unfold, and when the scroll is displayed, it creates the sensation of an additional window opening within the room, subtly extending the space beyond its physical boundaries.

Beside the circular window, two sparrows perch on a branch of blooming cherry blossoms. Facing one another, they appear to be exchanging words, as if sharing their delight at the arrival of spring. Sparrows have long been regarded as auspicious motifs in Japan, associated with family harmony, household safety, and the continuity of generations.

At the center of the work is the Zen inscription ichi-go ichi-e. The phrase expresses the idea that every moment and every encounter occurs only once in a lifetime, a concept deeply cherished within the spirit of the tea ceremony. In this piece, the characters are written in ink blended with metallic pigment; as the ink dries, a soft golden sheen gradually emerges. The surface responds delicately to light, revealing shifting nuances and a sense of depth that changes with the viewer’s perspective.

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.