For several years, Christine Price has been collecting this artwork from Japan. Because a large number of traditional houses have been replaced with apartment buildings, many homes in Japan no longer have tokonoma, the alcove where a scroll, or kakejiku, would be displayed and changed seasonally. Consequently, there are many used scrolls for sale.
Many of the scrolls in this collection were created before the war and a few are over one hundred years old.
A majority of them have hung in a home and had an active life before
coming to us. Even though many are in pristine condition, others have
signs of age - some stains or wrinkles, a tear or worn edge in
the fabric border - a visible history. These flaws can usually be seen by looking closely at the detailed
photos of a particular scroll. Chris knows the scrolls well and is happy to tell you more about
their conditions.
The first gallery provides an overview through a single image of each scroll. A particular kakejiku can be seen in more detail by going to the individual gallery. There you will find further information and notes on the images. You will often see the original seller notes "not good condition - stain, etc". This is not necessarily accurate. It is their way of keeping someone from returning the scroll as defective. The photos are the best way to judge and I have sometimes made notes regarding the condition. Feel free to ask for more details.
Any funds you send are a gift and will support our continuing efforts to sustain Chris Price's Tribal Ground and the Tribal Ground Circle project, a joint venture of several teachers working to establish in various ways the gestalt practice approach as taught by Richard Price. We welcome your inquiry about our workshops and other projects as well.
With
appreciation,
Christine Price, Tribal Ground LLC
Go to GALLERY OF SCROLLS
Watch a video about the making of kakejiku
artforawarenessscrolls@gmail.com www.tribalground.com
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Kakejiku or Hanging Scroll
A kakejiku (掛軸, "hung scroll"), is a Japanese scroll painting or calligraphy mounted, usually with silk fabric edges on a flexible backing, so that it can be rolled for storage.
The kakejiku is intended to hang against a wall as part of the interior decoration of a room. It is traditionally displayed in the alcove (tokonoma) of a room especially designed for the display of prized objects. When displayed in a tea house for the traditional tea ceremony, the choice of the kakejiku and its complementary flower arrangement help set the spiritual mood of the ceremony. Often the kakejiku used for this will bear calligraphy of a Zen phrase in the hand of a distinguished Zen master. Kakejiku can be easily and quickly changed to match the season or occasion.
Makuri are unmounted paintings, on silk or paper, which are either framed, used as panels in screens or hung from simple rods called tenugui. There are a few makuri in our collection.
The kakejiku was introduced to Japan during the
Heian Period (794-1185) primarily for displaying Buddhist images
for religious veneration, or as a vehicle to display calligraphy or poetry . From
the Muromachi period (1336-1573), landscapes, flower and bird paintings, portraiture, and
poetry became the favorite themes. Kakejiku were traditionally viewed from a kneeling (seiza) position. You can see how these paintings are created from that perspective.
Scrolls may be only art, only calligraphy or a
mixture. Calligraphic scrolls may feature well-known sayings, particularly
those associated with Buddhism, poems, descriptions of famous places, or words
or phrases associated with tea ceremony. Households would have a collection of scrolls which are rotated tto match the season or occasion.
This Japanese art website has more information..
How to Treat Kakejiku
Kakejiku (hanging scroll) is made from silk or Japanese paper & special glue. Kakejiku do not like an environment that is too moist or too dry. Please pay attention to the following to keep it in good condition.
- Do not hang the Kakejiku in a room in which the air conditioner is working excessively.
- When storing, keep the Kakejiku away from moisture.
- Do not leave Kakejuki hanging for a long time. Sometimes, roll it up.
- When storing, do not roll the Kakejiku up too tightly and give it an airing in the shade at least twice a year.
Note from Chris: Although I have no doubt that this is the best way to preserve your kakejiku, we have had some hanging for several years in a canvas yurt with no apparent problem.