Kingfisher - Sato Bizan / Kakejiku Hanging Scroll
The subject of the hanging scroll is “Kingfisher”.
This scroll is classified under summer seasonal hangings.
In Japan, there has long been a tradition of cherishing the seasons, preserving their landscapes and seasonal customs in various forms.
The bird depicted on this paper is known as a kingfisher, also referred to as "jade" due to the color of its feathers, making it a quintessential symbol of summer.
Although this item is typically categorized as a summer scroll, its auspicious charm makes it enjoyable throughout the year.
This product, "kingfisher," is carefully stored, wrapped around a scroll rod inside a beautiful wooden paulownia box. The cylindrical parts at both ends of the scroll, known as jikusaki, are crucial when storing the scroll. The jikusaki of this product are made of stoneware, and the material used for the scroll ends can be indicative of who created it and for what purpose, adding to its allure.
Hanging scroll is an important item that allows one to enjoy various events and seasonal changes, bringing a sense of ease and the transition of the seasons into everyday life. It is also frequently used to entertain guests who visit.
Tracing its history, the hanging scroll was introduced to Japan during the Asuka period (538 CE–710 CE). It coincided with the arrival of Buddhism from China, and initially, Buddhist paintings were depicted on these scrolls. In the Heian period(794 CE–1185 CE), these Buddhist painting scrolls became popular among the aristocracy. By the late Kamakura period(1185 CE–1333 CE), with the popularity of the tea ceremony, alcoves were created to display power.
In the Azuchi-Momoyama period(1568 CE–1600 CE), influenced by the tea master Sen no Rikyu, scrolls began to be changed seasonally. The mounted scroll, appreciated in these alcoves, plays an important role in Japanese interior decoration.
Hanging scrolls are deeply rooted in Japanese traditional culture, yet the number of Japanese rooms and alcoves where scrolls are displayed has been decreasing. However, the value of conveying the messages encapsulated in scrolls remains undeniable.
The charm of these scrolls lies in the different meanings conveyed by the characters and paintings they depict, the fabrics used in the details, and the patterns.
Today, they add color to both homes and offices and are ideal for collections of Japanese art.Hanging scrolls not only represent Japanese culture but also provide viewers with a sense of richness and a serene space.
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| Package type | Paulownia box |
| Origin | Made in Japan |
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The artwork captures a kingfisher poised on a branch extending over the river, keenly observing the water beneath. It might be targeting its next catch.
Renowned for its remarkable accuracy in hunting, the kingfisher symbolizes the achievement of lofty goals.
Focusing on the mounting, the chuberi “central border fabric” is adorned with a dew-on-grass pattern. This design represents dewdrops connected across the thin blades of grass, depicted as small dots. The changing colors of the leaves within the pattern indicate the transition of seasons.
From this motif, one can discern the shift from spring to summer, reflecting the seasonal change through the scroll's mounting.
About Craftsmen
Sato Bizan
Born in 1955 and residing in Gifu Prefecture, Sato Bizanis a member of the Ink Painting Society and an artist featured in the Art Yearbook. Not affiliated with any particular school of Japanese painting, Sato excels in depicting koi, animals, and human figures. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions.