Introduction of hanging scrolls exhibited at “Hikariba Art Festival 2025”.

As we mentioned in our blog the other day,
We exhibited four hanging scrolls at Hikariba Art Festival 2025 held at Saitama Kaikan on September 13, 2025.

Hikariba Art Festival is held for the first time this year.
The event brings together exhibitions and performances that transcend genre boundaries, including music ・ dance ・ contemporary art ・ and traditional crafts.
There were also many hands-on workshops, and the wide range of visitors, from children to adults, created a true “festival” atmosphere.
It was precisely because of this that the event was so fresh and new to people who have never seen a hanging scroll before or who have a strong impression of hanging scrolls as something to be displayed in a tokonoma (alcove).
We wanted to exhibit scrolls that would look fresh to people who have never seen a hanging scroll before or who have a strong impression that a hanging scroll is something to be displayed in an alcove.

What is the most important factor in creating such a kakejiku?
Fortunately, we were able to obtain very attractive paintings through the event organizer.

First of all, let me introduce them to you.

Yesterday in Desert Color” by Nanari Sakamoto

The most beautiful color” by Nanari Sakamoto

Untitled” by Seika Kato

Untitled” by Seika Kato

We are pleased to present the above four works.
Both artists, Nanari Sakamoto and Seika Kato, graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, majoring in oil painting,
They are both graduates of Tokyo University of the Arts, majoring in oil painting, and usually work mainly in oil painting.

However, as in the case of the painting used for the main paper of the hanging scroll, “thin painting” is required,
Therefore, it is not possible to apply several layers of paint, as is done with oil paintings.
This must have been a major creative constraint for the two artists, but they were able to create an impressive painting within these constraints.

Here are some photos of the scroll.

In terms of the mounting, we dared to keep the decoration low and simple.
The colors of the fabrics were kept as modest as possible so that they would not interfere with the impression of the work.
The size and the placement of the paper were also designed with the intention of hanging it naturally in an everyday space, such as a living room or an entryway, rather than in a tokonoma (alcove).

Kakejiku are originally displayed in a tokonoma (alcove), but we sought a form that would allow people to enjoy them in a more casual way, as if they were “hanging pictures”.
We believe that we were able to show a new and modern form of hanging scrolls, different from the so-called “traditional hanging scrolls,” to the diverse audience of the Art Triennale.

Hmm? There is a strange panel next to the hanging scroll?
You probably haven’t noticed it, but I’d like to introduce it here! Probably not, but I will introduce it here as a side note.
For this event, I made an explanatory panel for the scrolls that even children (about 3rd grade elementary school students) could understand.
I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I would appreciate it if you could let me know if there are any mistakes in the content.

I got carried away and tried to include a quiz, but as far as I could see, no one was challenging me, lol.

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After the exhibition.

At the exhibition, we received comments such as “I had an image of hanging scrolls as Japanese painting ・, ink painting ・, or calligraphy, but these is the first time I have seen a hanging scroll those is not Japanese painting ・.
I’ve never seen a hanging scroll that wasn’t a calligraphy piece” and “I think I can display this in my home without an alcove.
I believe that a kakejiku is not just a vessel to hold a work of art, but a “stage” to which a new way of seeing and a new atmosphere can be added by mounting.
If it is too conspicuous, it will ruin the work, and if it is too modest, it will be useless. A perfect balance is required.

In the future, we will continue to explore new forms of kakejiku while respecting traditional techniques and collaborating with a wide range of artists.

The “Hikariba Art Festival” will be held on a larger scale next year at the Saitama Kaikan ・ in the city of Urawa,
Please look forward to next year’s festival!