Usual Kakejiku
The usual kakejiku (hanging
scroll) means a kakejiku, whose subject is perennial. It doesn't mean
that we can leave the kakejiku displayed for a long time, but that we
can display it freely, regardless of the season.
The landscape,
often called "sansui" (literally mountain and water), is one of the
subjects of the usual kakejiku. "Suiboku-ga" (ink painting), the art of
painting in just one color using "sumi" (Japanese ink), is not only for
painting lines, but also for showing gradation through contrasting ink
density and lighting. The landscape painting with sumi is called a
"suiboku-sansui."
Mt. Fuji has, since ancient times, long inspired
many painters, because its magnificent image has long been worshiped
all over Japan. When Mt. Fuji is tinted red by the sun's rays, the image
is called "Aka-Fuji" (Red Mt. Fuji). This superb view, which is rarely
seen by most people, has long been considered a very lucky symbol. This
is why a kakejiku of Aka-fuji is often displayed for New Year holidays
as well as ordinary days, while other usual kakejiku are rarely
displayed. (Most Japanese people want to have a happy New Year).
"Shikibana"
means four flowers, each representing one of the four seasons.
Shikibana is one of the subjects of the usual kakejiku. Although there
is no special rule, a peony, which is considered the king of flowers in
China, is usually positioned in the middle of the screen, with the other
flowers encircling it.
The combination of bamboos and sparrows
(called "take-ni-suzume") has, since ancient times, long been considered
a lucky symbol, so it is very popular in Japan.
The Japanese
people admire the characteristics of bamboo: they grow straight and is
flexible, yet is hard to break. They liken bamboo to the fortunes of a
family, and hope that their family fortunes will not decline.
The sparrow breeds abundantly, so it has been considered a symbol of the prosperity of a family's descendants.
The tiger or dragon is often painted, because their grand strength is believed to wards off evil spirits.
Seasonal Kakejiku
The
four seasons are distinct in Japan, so the Japanese people value the
sense of each season. They replace their kakejiku (hanging scrolls)
depending on the season. This kind of kakejiku is called "kisetsu-gake"
(seasonal kakejiku).
01. Spring
Plum trees are often chosen
as a subject for early spring paintings. Many Japanese people like plum
trees because they are the first to blossom. Bush warblers are often
depicted with plum trees in Japanese art.
Cherry blossoms are also often used as a subject for spring
paintings. Cherry blossoms as a symbol of spring, are familiar to the
Japanese, because they see them bloom beautifully at that time every
year.
02. Summer
The peony, considered "the king of flowers"
in China, is often used as a subject for early summer paintings.
However, in the "kakejiku" (hanging scroll) world, displaying a peony
kakejiku is considered the best hospitality you can give to a guest.
Therefore, this kakejiku is often displayed even in seasons other than
early summer.
Carp (called "koi") are another common subject for
summer paintings. The great popularity of "nishikigoi" (colored carps)
suggests, many Japanese people love carp. According to "Gokanjo"
(History of the Later Han Dynasty), a lot of fish tried to swim up a
waterfall called "Ryuumon," in the rapid stream of the Yellow River, but
only the carp succeed and thus became dragons. From that story,
"touryuumon" (gateway) became a symbol for success in life. "Koinobori,"
meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks
traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate "Tango no Sekku" (the Boys'
Festival). Tango no Sekku is a traditional annual event, now designated a
national holiday: Children's Day. This is why carp, shooting up a
waterfall, are often used as a subject for paintings during Tango no
Sekku.
The sweetfish ("ayu") is one of the summer features in Japan, and suggests a fresh, cooling feeling to us.
The
kingfisher is well loved in Japan. It never misses its prey and is
considered a symbol of the fulfillment of a prayer. The kingfisher is
seen throughout the year, but is often used as a subject for summer
paintings. This is because the presence of a kingfisher at the waterside
makes one feel refreshed in summer.
Morning glories represent
summer. They were developed by Japanese gardening technology. As a
result, many Japanese people love morning glories.
03. Autumn
The
seven main kinds of Japanese autumn flowers are called "akinonanakusa":
bush clover, Japanese pampas grass, kudzu, a pink, Patrinia
scabiosaefolia, thoroughwort, and bellflower. These seven autumn flowers
provide visual enjoyment. Their simplicity is very much admired: they
are small and dainty, yet beautifully colored. They are, therefore,
often painted as a symbol for autumn.
The persimmon is often painted as a symbol for autumn, because the persimmon tree produces a lot of fruit in autumn.
Colored
leaves represent autumn. When leaves turn red in autumn, they are very
beautiful and wonderful to look at. There are many places famous for
their colored leaves in Japan.
Chrysanthemum flowers represent
Autumn. They're also considered noble in Japan, this is because the
Japanese imperial crest is in the shape of a chrysanthemum.
Chrysanthemums were developed by Japanese gardening technology. As a
result, many Japanese people love chrysanthemum flowers.
04. Winter
The
nandina bears beautiful little red fruit in winter. The nandina is
called "nanten" in Japan. The nanten is used to pray for happiness
because it sounds like "nan-ga-tenjiru," which means to reverse bad
luck.
The camellia is also often painted as a symbol for winter or early
spring. It is valued in the tea ceremony as well, because Sen no Rikyuu
loved camellias.
Auspicious Kakejiku
The
kakejiku of an auspicious painting is displayed on certain occasions,
such as a new year, a ceremonial exchange of betrothal gifts (called
"Yuinou"), or a celebration to commemorate a person's long life.
A pine tree is considered a symbol of longevity in Japan because its needles are always green.
The
Japanese people admire the characteristics of bamboo: they grow
straight and is flexible, yet is hard to break. They liken bamboo to the
fortunes of a family and hope that their family fortunes will not
decline.
The plum tree is the first tree to blossom, which indicates that
spring has arrived. This is why the plum tree is considered a symbol of
vitality in Japan.
For the reasons described above, Japanese
believe that "shou-chiku-bai" (the combination of pine, bamboo and plum
trees) is a lucky symbol.
The crane and the turtle were considered
the vehicles of the immortals in China, so they are symbols of
longevity. This thought was introduced in Japan, and now the Japanese
people love the crane and the turtle as symbols of longevity, as well.
According
to the Takasago Shrine in Takasago City, Hyougo Prefecture, there have
been "Aioi-no-Matsu" (twin pines: a Japanese red pine and Japanese black
pine that share their roots) ever since the Shinto shrine was
established. A pair of trees called "Jou" (old man) and "Uba" (old
woman) - a Japanese form of Darby and Joan - bearing the legend, "We
kami reside in these trees to show the world the way of marital virtue,"
stand within the shrine. This is why a Takasago painting is often
displayed on an auspicious occasion. Takasago generally means of an old
man and woman.
The sun has, since ancient times, been worshiped
around the world, and many religions have developed out of sun
worshiping traditions. For example, "Amaterasu Oomikami," the top god in
Japanese mythology, is the sun god. The sunrise on New Year's Day is
often chosen as a subject for a painting of New Year.
Buddhist Kakejiku
The
Buddhist kakejiku (hanging scroll), "butsuji-gake," is used in the
houyou ceremony. In Japan, as a result of the synchronization of the
Shinto region with Buddhism, many strands of Buddhism unique to Japan
were developed. Therefore, Japanese Buddhism includes many sects. There
are many differences in the manners of the ceremony, depending on the
sect and region, so the Buddhist kakejiku used in the ceremony differ
depending on the sect and region.
Namu-Amidabutsu
"Namu-Amidabutsu"
is a 6 kanji (Chinese characters) phrase, meaning "I believe in
Amitabha." "Namu" means "I have faith in you." "Amidabutsu" means
"Amitabha." The "kakejiku" (hanging scroll) with the script of
Namu-Amidabutsu is used in the Buddhist memorial services of the
"Joudo-shuu," "Joudo-Shin-shuu," and "Tendai-shuu" sects.
Namu-Shakamunibutsu
"Namu-Shakamunibutsu" is a 7 kanji phrase,
meaning "I believe in Shakamuni Buddha." The kakejiku with the script
of Namu-Shakamunibutsu is used in the Buddhist memorial services of
"Soutou-shuu," "Rinzai-shuu," and "Oubaku-shuu" sects (Zen Buddhism).
Namu-Daishi-Henjou-Kongou
"Namu-Daishi-Henjou-Kongou"
is an 8 kanji phrase, meaning "I believe in Vairocana and respect
Koubou-Daishi (a famous Japanese monk)." "Namu" means "I have faith in
you." "Daishi" means "Koubou-Daishi." "Henjou" means "the sacred light
of Buddha shines all over the world." "Kongou" means "an indestructible
substance." This is why "Henjou-Kongou" means "Vairocana." The kakejiku
with the script of Namu-Daishi-Henjou-Kongou is used in the Buddhist
memorial service of the "Shingon-shuu" sect.
Namu-Myouhou-Rengekyou
"Namu-Myouhou-Rengekyou"
is a 7 kanji phrase, meaning "I devote myself to the teachings of the
Lotus Sutra." "Namu" means "I have faith in you." "Myouhou-Rengekyou"
means "Lotus Sutra." A kakejiku with the script of
Namu-Myouhou-Rengekyou is used in the Buddhist memorial service of the
"Nichiren-shuu" sect.
Hannya-Shingyou
Heart of Great Perfect
Wisdom Sutra ("Hannya-Shingyou") is one of the Buddhist sutras that
preaches the Kuu (Buddhism) of Mahayana Buddhism, and the Prajna school
of thought. In various Japanese sects, especially "Hossou-shuu,"
Tendai-shuu, Shingon-shuu, and Zen sects, use Hannya-Shingyou and
interpret it individually. The kakejiku of Hannya-Shingyou is sometimes
used in their Buddhist memorial services.
Juusan-butsu (13 Buddhas)
"Juu-ou-shinkou" spread in Japan
during the 11th century and after. The "Juu-ou", ten kings, are regarded
as an awesome existence because they decide whether the dead should be
sent to "jigoku" (Hell, one of the posthumous realms advocated by
Buddhism) and preside over the "Rokudou-rinne" (transmigration in the
six posthumous realms advocated by Buddhism) in light of the seriousness
of the karma belonging to the dead. In Juu-ou-shinkou, the faithful beg
for the mercy from the ten judges, who decide to which realm the dead
would go.
In the Kamakura period, the Japanese believed that each
one of Juu-ou corresponded with each of "Juu-butsu" (10 Buddhas); the
number grew as time went by, and in the Edo period,
"Juusan-butsu-shinkou" (the 13 Buddhas belief) was born.
Buddhist
memorial services were customarily held seven times every seven days,
because the bereaved family could pray to the Juu-ou to seek commutation
for the dead person at every trial, while additional memorial services
were held in line with the additional three trials that supposedly
functioned to save all dead persons.
The kakejiku, on which juusan-butsu are painted, is often displayed in Buddhist memorial services.
Kannon-Bosatsu
Kannon-Bosatsu
(Avalokitesvara) is a sacred image of "Bosatsu" (Bodhisattva) in
Buddhism and a kind of Buddha that has, since ancient times, attained a
widespread following, particularly in Japan. There is a legend that
Kannon-Bosatsu disguises herself in thirty-three forms when she saves
all living things. For this reason there are various shapes of the
statues of the Kannon, called "Henge(Changed)-Kannon" (other than the
basic "Shou-Kannon"). Unlike the perception of Kannon as an attendant of
"Amidanyorai," Kannon-Bosatsu, which was worshiped as an independent
Buddha, tends to be besought to for practical benefits in this world.
The kakejiku of Kannon-Bosatsu is sometimes displayed in Buddhist memorial services.
Shuuinjiku (Kakejiku of Series of Stamps Collected at Temples)
"Saigoku-Sanjuusan-kasho"
is a pilgrimage of thirty-three Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai
region of Japan. The pilgrimage route of the Saigoku Sanjusankasho
includes, as additional holy places, three more temples associated with
the founder of the pilgrimage, Saint Tokudou, and the Cloistered Emperor
Kazan who revitalized it. The principal image in each temple is
Kannon-Bosatsu; however, there is some variation among the images and
the powers they possess. Pilgrims record their progress with a prayer
book called "Noukyou-chou," which the staff of each temple marks with
red stamps and Japanese calligraphy, indicating the temple number, the
temple name and the specific name of the Kannon image. Some pilgrims
receive the stamps and calligraphy on plain silk, which will be mounted
on a kakejiku (hanging scroll) by a kakejiku craftsman "hyougushi." The
kakejiku, which is called "saigoku-sanjuusan-kasho-shuuinjiku," is very
popular in Japan. It is sometimes used in Buddhist memorial services.
"Shikoku-Henro,"
"Shikoku-Junrei" or "Shikoku-Hachijuuhachi-kasho" is a multi-site
pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kuukai
(Koubou-Daishi), on the island of Shikoku, Japan. Large numbers of
pilgrims still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious and
tourism-related purposes. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not
necessary to visit the temples in order. The pilgrimage is traditionally
completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles
or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1,200 km long.
Generally, it takes about 40 days by walking, and about 10 days by a
sightseeing bus or car. The pilgrims are often recognizable by their
white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
Many pilgrims
begin and complete the journey by visiting Mt. Kouya, in Wakayama
Prefecture, which was settled by Kuukai and remains the headquarters of
the "Shingon-shuu" sect of Buddhism. The 21 km walking trail up to Mt.
Kouya still exists, but most pilgrims use trains or cars. Pilgrims
record their progress with a prayer book called Noukyouchou, which the
staff of each temple marks with red stamps, Japanese calligraphy
indicating the temple number, the temple name and the specific name of
the Principal Image of Buddha and the Sanskrit characters to express it.
Some pilgrims receive the stamps and calligraphy on plain silk which
will be mounted on a kakejiku by a scroll mounter (hyougushi). The
kakejiku, which is called "shikoku-hachijuuhachikasho-shuuinjiku," is
very popular in Japan. It is sometimes used in Buddhist memorial
services.
The Girl's or Boy's Festival Kakejiku
Hina-matsuri
"Hina-matsuri"
(The Japanese Doll Festival) is an annual event. It is a seasonal
festival to pray for the healthy growth of girls. In Japan, Hina-matsuri
used to be observed on March 3, of the old calendar (around present-day
April). It was on the first day of March,the Snake month, according to
the Japanese lunar-solar calendar. However, after the calendar reform of
January 1, 1873, the festival has generally been celebrated on March 3,
according to the Gregorian calendar (or new calendar). However, in some
parts of Japan, mainly snowy regions such as the "Touhoku" region,
Hina-matsuri is still observed on March 3rd of the old calendar. There
are other regions that celebrate the festival on April 3rd, in line with
the new calendar. Hina-matsuri was also named "Momo-no-(peach's) sekku"
because the festival, under the old calendar, was held when peach trees
blossomed.
Hina-matsuri is a seasonal festival in which dolls are
displayed, and centering around two dolls representing the emperor,
called "obina," and the empress, called "mebina." The display is
decorated with peach flowers, and people enjoy eating, and drinking
"shirozake" (sweet white sake).
During the Edo period, the girls'
"doll play" was combined with the "ceremony of the seasonal festival."
Hina-matsuri spread across the country, and dolls began to be displayed.
During this period, however, in addition to the traditional aspects of
the doll display, Hina-matsuri increasingly came to have a ritualistic
aspect, in which the dolls suffer all of the present and future
misfortunes, in the place of people. Also at this time, the Hina-matsuri
doll set came to be considered one of the bride's household articles
for high-ranking females, such as the daughters of "samurai" families.
As a result, the doll trend became more elegant and luxurious.
A
"tachibina" doll is a hina doll in a standing pose. The kakejiku
(hanging scroll) of tachibina dolls is sometimes displayed during
Hina-matsuri. Moreover, the kakejiku sometimes is displayed instead of
the Hina-matsuri doll set.
Tango-no-sekku
The Japanese have a
custom of holding a variety of events praying for the healthy growth of
boys, on the day of Tango-no-sekku, and May 5 is a national holiday,
called "Children's Day." In a few regions, it is celebrated on June 5th,
following the old lunar calendar.
In Japan, there was a ritual
called "Satsuki-imi" (literally, accursed May), where all the men went
out of the house, and only women stayed inside to wash the impurities
away, and purify themselves before rice planting. This custom was
connected to "tango," which came from China. In the Imperial Palace,
people wearing a Japanese iris in their hair got together at the
"Butokuden" (a palace building) and were granted a "Kusudama"
(literally, a ball of medicine made of herbs with a decoration added) by
the emperor. A record from the Nara period described these events in
the imperial court.
The word for the Japanese iris was pronounced
the same as the word for martial spirit (both were pronounced "shoubu"),
and the shape of the leaves of the Japanese iris reminds people of
swords. Therefore, tango was determined as the "sekku" for boys and
people prayed for the healthy growth of boys during the Kamakura period.
The
typical way to celebrate tango-no-sekku is to display armor, a helmet, a
sword, a doll warrior, or "gogatsu-ningyou" doll (literally, doll of
May) modeled after Kintarou (a famous brave boy in a nursery tale) on a
tiered stand in a room, and to fly "Koi-nobori" (carp streamers) on a
pole in the front yard. Displaying armor symbolizes protecting the boys.
The custom of displaying koi-nobori originates in the Chinese
tradition, and it is meant to pray for the success in a boy's life.
The kakejiku which is displayed in this event can be described as follows:
The kakejiku of an iris painting.
The kakejiku of a "musha" (an armored warrior) painting.
The kakejiku of a carp shooting up a waterfall.
It is said in Chinese history that a lot of fish tried to swim up a
waterfall called "Ryuumon" in the rapids of the Yellow River, but only
the carp succeed and thus became dragons.
The kakejiku of a tiger or a dragon painting.
Their grand strength is believed to wards off evil spirits.
The kakejiku displayed on Hina-matsuri or Tango-no-sekku is called "sekku-gake" (the girl's or boy's festival kakejiku).
