Red Mt. Fuji And Soaring Cranes Kakejiku Hanging Scroll

This hanging scroll features Mount Fuji and cranes as its central motif. Against a vivid red Mount Fuji, a flock of cranes glides above a sea of clouds, creating a scene that feels both majestic and quietly celebratory. In Japanese culture, Fuji and cranes are enduring emblems of good fortune, longevity, and renewal, and this work brings those auspicious themes together in a single, elegant composition.

Mount Fuji—Japan’s highest peak—has long been revered and is closely associated with legends of everlasting life. The “Red Fuji” depicted here refers to a rare moment when the mountain catches the early morning sun and turns a striking crimson. Traditionally, this fleeting phenomenon has been regarded as a specially blessed sight, and the artist captures that sense of wonder through saturated color and clear, confident form. The cranes surrounding the summit reinforce the message: in Japan, they are celebrated as birds of long life and a hopeful future. Paired with Mount Fuji, their presence lends the scroll a bright, uplifting resonance.

The mounting is finished with a scrolling karakusa (arabesque) pattern inspired by peonies. Karakusa vines, extending outward in all directions, symbolize vigorous life, prosperity, and enduring growth. The peony itself is a classic flower of happiness and refinement. Together, these decorative elements echo the painting’s theme while giving the entire piece a dignified, luxurious finish.

The artist, Nishimori Yuko, was born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1956 and is now based in Gifu. A member of the Bokusai-kai (Ink and Color Painting Association), he is a contemporary Nihonga painter known especially for his works featuring Mount Fuji, and has exhibited widely in both 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.