We have many pieces in our collection that are so fragile and delicate that we take great care to preserve for future generations. These pieces often don’t get the opportunity to be seen or displayed to the public due to their fragile and delicate nature. Today, I want to share with you one of these pieces. It’s a beautiful piece in our collection that’s called a kakemono, or more commonly known as a kakejiku, which is a Japanese hanging scroll. Japanese hanging scrolls are commonly made of silk and paper with flexible backing so they can be rolled up for easy storage. Their origin can be traced to Chinese scroll painting traditions dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and the Nara period (710-794 AD).
Japanese hanging scrolls are designed to be hung in the alcove of a Japanese room, called a tokonoma, and serve both decorative and spiritual purposes. By the Muromachi period (1336–1573 AD), the hanging scroll had become an integral part of the Japanese tea ceremony, promoted by tea masters like Sen no Rikyū, who valued the scroll’s ability to set the tone for the gathering.
Unlike permanently framed artworks, kakemono are seasonal and thematic, and are meant to be changed regularly to suit the time of year, during specific rituals, and even to welcome honored guests. Their design and use embody the Japanese principles of ephemerality, simplicity, and harmony with nature. There are several types of kakejiku. Nichijou-kake for everyday use which may depict calligraphy or themes such as landscapes with flowers or trees. Kisetsu-kake for seasonal changes which would have more thematic landscapes such as cherry blossoms for spring, or snowy mountains for winter. Keiji-kake or shugi-kake for celebrations such as festivals and weddings, and Butsuji-kake for Buddhist ceremonies.
Each part of the scroll has a name and meaning. The center of the scroll, where the main artwork is located, is called the “Honshi”, or “main work”. The fabric above the main body is called the “Ten” for Heaven, and the fabric at the bottom of the scroll underneath the main body is called the “Chi” for earth. The long strips of fabric on the sides of the body are called the “Hashira” or “pillars”. The Ten is longer than the Chi because in the past kakejiku were viewed from a kneeling (seiza) position which provided perspective to the Honshi.
The kakejiku we have in our collection is a shūgi-kake, or celebration scroll with a Takasago theme. Takasago is an enduring and symbolically rich subject. Based on a famous Noh play of the same name, the Takasago theme represents marital harmony and longevity, making it a common motif in scrolls used for wedding ceremonies and gifts.
The Takasago Legend tells of Jō and Uba, an old couple who are spirits dwelling in pine trees on the Takasago beach. On moonlit nights, they take human form to rake in good fortune (Jō) and sweep away trouble (Uba), symbolizing harmony and enduring love. Often shown with a rake and broom, they represent the ideal married couple. A crane and turtle—symbols of longevity—are frequently depicted with them.
Overall it’s a beautiful piece and would have been perfect to display at a wedding ceremony or a perfect gift for a newly wed couple. Now it lives in our collection to be stored and taken care of for generations to come.
Kellie Bellah, Administrative Assistant