{"title":"Japanese Paintings \u0026 Calligraphy","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Japanese hanging scroll, or \u003cem\u003ekakejiku\u003c\/em\u003e, is made to be lived with: unrolled for a season, admired in the alcove of a room, then rolled away again. We look for scroll paintings and calligraphy from the Edo, Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa periods, chosen for the quality of the brush and the condition of the mounting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!--rtc-guide--\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rtc-guide-main\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to look at a Japanese hanging scroll\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSilk or paper\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaintings on silk (\u003cem\u003ekenpon\u003c\/em\u003e) show a fine woven texture under a loupe and allow very delicate colour. Paintings on paper (\u003cem\u003eshihon\u003c\/em\u003e) absorb ink differently, so washes spread and edges soften. Both are traditional, and neither is better in itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting is framed in bands of silk brocade and backed with layers of paper, then fitted with a wooden roller (\u003cem\u003ejiku\u003c\/em\u003e) whose end knobs may be wood, horn, lacquer or ceramic. A good scroll is remounted every few generations, so a later mounting is normal. A sympathetic one, in good proportion to the painting, is what matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSignature and seals\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost paintings carry the artist's signature and one or more seals in red cinnabar. Compare them with published examples, but judge the brush first: many fine scrolls are unsigned, and many signatures were added later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fitted wooden box inscribed by the artist (\u003cem\u003etomobako\u003c\/em\u003e), or one authenticated by a recognised expert (\u003cem\u003ehakogaki\u003c\/em\u003e), adds real confidence and value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeason and subject\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScrolls were changed with the seasons: plum blossom for early spring, cherry and willow in spring, irises in early summer, autumn grasses and the moon in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter. Knowing the season of a subject is part of enjoying it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003caside class=\"rtc-aside\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat we look for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfident, fine brushwork that rewards a close look\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn original or sympathetic mounting in good proportion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSound condition, with no major creasing, foxing or insect damage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA signature and seal consistent with the artist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn artist's box or documented provenance where possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/aside\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rtc-faq\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"rtc-h2\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"\u003e\u003csummary itemprop=\"name\"\u003eWhat is a kakejiku?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\"\u003e\u003cp itemprop=\"text\"\u003eA kakejiku is a Japanese hanging scroll: a painting or piece of calligraphy mounted with silk brocade borders and a wooden roller, so that it can be hung in a room and rolled up for storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"\u003e\u003csummary itemprop=\"name\"\u003eHow should I hang and care for a scroll?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\"\u003e\u003cp itemprop=\"text\"\u003eHang it away from direct sunlight, heat and damp, ideally for a season at a time, then let it rest. Roll it loosely with the image facing inwards, never fold it, and keep it in its box.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"\u003e\u003csummary itemprop=\"name\"\u003eWhat are the horizontal creases on some scrolls?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\"\u003e\u003cp itemprop=\"text\"\u003eThey are called oresuji and come from rolling a scroll too tightly or from changes in humidity. A professional remounter can usually flatten and reinforce them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"\u003e\u003csummary itemprop=\"name\"\u003eCan you help me find work by a particular artist?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\"\u003e\u003cp itemprop=\"text\"\u003eYes. Call us on +1 781-631-5555 and tell us the artist, subject or period you are looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0045\/4967\/3009\/collections\/banner-hokusai-gamecocks-1838.jpg?v=1792893166","url":"https:\/\/www.roomtonic.com\/collections\/japanese-paintings-calligraphy.oembed","provider":"Room Tonic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}