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{{Short description|Japanese hanging scrolls}}
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[[Image:Hanging scroll and Ikebana 1.jpg|right|thumb|Decorative ''kakemono'' and ''[[ikebana]]'' in an ''[[onsen]]'' hotel]]

A {{nihongo|'''''kakemono'''''|掛物||"hanging thing"}}, more commonly referred to as a {{nihongo|'''''kakejiku'''''|掛軸||"hung scroll"}}, is a Japanese hanging scroll used to display and exhibit paintings and calligraphy inscriptions and designs mounted usually with [[silk]] fabric edges on a flexible backing, so that it can be rolled for storage. The origin is said to date back to the Nara period (710-794).

The "Maruhyōsō" style of kakejiku has four distinct named sections. The top section is called the ''ten,'' 'heaven'. The bottom is the ''chi'', 'earth', with the ''hashira'' pillars supporting the heaven and earth on the sides. The ''maruhyōsō'' style also contains a section of ''ichimonji'' made from ''kinran,'' gold thread.<ref>Hyodokai & Tooru Arakawa, "Watakushi ni mo Dekiru Hyōgu no Tsukurikata Nyūmon". Shibuya, Japan 1997 pg. 63</ref> On observation, the ten is longer than the chi. This is because in the past, kakemono were viewed from a kneeling (''seiza'') position and this provided perspective to the ''honshi'', main work. This tradition carries on to modern times.<ref>Personal Conversation, Sagawa, Taishin, Hyōsōshi Instructor of Shibuya Kakejikuya.</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2021|reason=See [[WP:RS]]}}

There is a cylindrical rod called ''jikugi'' (軸木) at the bottom, which becomes the axis or center of the rolled scroll. The end knobs on this rod are in themselves called ''jiku'', and are used as grasps when rolling and unrolling the scroll.<ref>Masako Koyano, ''Japanese Scroll Paintings: A Handbook of Mounting Techniques''. Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, Washington D.C., 1979</ref>

Other parts of the scroll include the ''jikubo'' referenced above as the ''jikugi''. The top half moon-shaped wood rod is named the ''hassō'' to which the ''kan'' or metal loops are inserted in order to tie the ''kakehimo,'' hanging thread. Attached to the jikubo are the ''jikusaki'', the term used for the end knobs, which can be inexpensive and made of plastic or relatively decorative pieces made of ceramic or lacquered wood. Additional decorative wood or ceramic pieces are called ''fuchin'' and come with multicolored tassels. The variation in the kakehimo, jikusaki and fuchin make each scroll original and unique.<ref>Hyodokai & Tooru Arakawa, "Watakushi ni mo Dekiru Hyōgu no Tsukurikata Nyūmon". Shibuya, Japan 1997 pg. 130-147</ref><ref>Custom Japanese Calligraphy, Jonathan Maples, excerpts translated from the Arakawa text</ref>

The arrival of ''kakemono'' to the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colonies in the Philippines and the Americas]] prompted local artists to imitate the format as a convenient way to provide portable art.<ref name="GACAsian">{{cite web |title=The Asian Influence on American Arts - Museo de América |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/la-influencia-asi%C3%A1tica-en-las-artes-americanas/4ALyMwOlfFM4LQ |website=Google Arts & Culture |access-date=10 October 2021 |language=en|author=Ana Zabía de la Mata}}</ref><ref name="GACMiraculous">{{cite web |title=Miraculous image of Our Lady of Mount Farelo |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/_/7wGFZFz3Aln7rw |website=Google Arts & Culture |access-date=10 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="GACCebu">{{cite web |title=Holy Child of Cebú |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/_/fQEDoBoaps4QpA |website=Google Arts & Culture |access-date=10 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[History of scrolls]]
*[[Japanese painting]]

==Notes==
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==References==
* Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Prentice Hall (2004). {{ISBN|0-13-117602-1}}

==External links==
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBi1HaLs6Cs Short documentary about how a kakejiku is being made]

[[Category:Japanese painting]]