意気衝天 Ikishouten (High Spirits)

This scroll is for sale. Although there were quite a few problems, and still some slight "Uki" in the scroll, it turned out all right. It was written by my wife, Ryugyoku, and the inkan or chop will be applied soon.

If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com


The meaning of the phrase ikishouten is listed in one online dictionary as High Spirits. I think it is better to look at it as having such conviction that it feels like being lifted into Heaven.

The first thing to be aware, is this is not a true Fukuro Hyougu style scroll. A true Fukuro Hyougu scroll does not have an Ichimoji section on the scroll. I wanted to do something a little different. I think the black suji provides a subtle transition between the cloths. I hope you feel the same.










Here are the Dimensions leading with the traditional　分 Bun measurement.　筋 suji were all done in 1 bun measurements.


Ten 天　　　　　　　　　　　149　（98＆51)
Ue Ichimonji　　　　　　上一文字　　　　　　　　　8
Artwork Width　　　　　紙本の幅さ　　　　　　　　77
Artwork Length　　　　　紙本の長さ　　　　　　　106
Hashira　　　　　　　　柱　　　　　　　　　　　　23
Shita Ichimonji　　　　　下一文字　　　　　　　　　4
Chi　　　　　　　　　　地　　　　　　　　　　　　80　（25＆55)
Total Scroll Length　　　掛け軸長さ　　　　　　　　347
Total Scroll Width　　　　掛け軸幅さ　　　　　　　　123　

浪人Rounin & 武士道Bushidou Scrolls

These scrolls were ordered as a pair. The customer wanted larger scrolls 5' in length. So we had to use larger paper and the writing on the characters is very large.

If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com

For those who don't know, a Bushidou means, "Way of the Warrior" and a Rounin was a "masterless Samurai" either because of the death of the daimyou he served in battle or loss of the master's favor. See wikipedia for a more detailed explanation. Literal meaning is someone carried on the waves or a person aimlessly floating.

One thing I wanted to make clear, is that this picture was taken from a Seza position, (kneeling). This is the traditional way to view scrolls, and is the reason that the Ten is longer than the Chi, to provide balance between the artwork and the viewer. For the display, I wanted to use a katana or wakizashi, but could not find my wakizashi and did not have access to a sword. So everyone will need to settle with the fake bonsai. As a set these scrolls are very beautiful in the Navy Blue Cloth with a Green/Gold Ichimonji. Additionally, the Jikusaki are wood with black lacqer and a single band of gold around the outer edge. Gives a little distinction to contrast with the navy colored cloth. The two掛け軸 kakejiku are written in the Gyousho, Semi-cursive style by Ryugyoku.

Dimensions of the scroll in bun (1 bun is equal to about 3.03 mm) are as follows:

天　　　　　Ten (Heaven) 160

上一文字 Ue Ichimonji (Upper Brocade) 14

紙本の幅さ Honshi no Habasa (Artwork Width) 110

紙本の長さ Honshi no Nagasa (Artwork Length) 219

柱 Hashira (Pillars) 15

下一文字 Shita Ichimonji (Lower Brocade) 9

地 Chi (Earth) 114

掛け軸の幅さ Kakejiku no Habasa (Scroll Width) 140

掛け軸の長さ Kakejiku no Nagasa (Scroll Length) 516

幽蘭一国香 Yuuran Ikkoku no Kou

If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com

幽蘭一国香　（ゆうらん　いっこくのこう）


Yuuran Ikkoku no Kou

The meaning of this phrase is the scent of the pollen that emanates from the famed orchid is known throughout the country. (I am still trying to locate the name of this orchid in English...)

I looked everywhere for an orchid cloth. I did have have one, but knew that the urauchi step would not work due to this cloth being a synthetic. So I turned to my reliable rose. This is actually a leftover piece from a previous scroll done for a dojo up in Washington. And although the pattern on the kireji is not an orchid, this cloth still evokes the same visual and olfactory stimulation from the meaning of the poem. This was a writing done by Yoshimi a couple of years ago. She was advanced in rank due to this submitted writing. It is done in the sousho style.


Name in Kanji Name in English Size in Bun Size in Centimeters (Estimate) Size in Inches (Estimate)
天 Ten 91 275.73 10.86
上一文字 Ue Ichimonji 19 57.57 2.27
紙本の幅さ Artwork Width 79 239.37 9.42
紙本の長さ Artwork Length 107 324.21 12.76
柱 Pillars 17 51.51 2.03
下一文字 Shita Ichimonji 9 27.27 1.07
地 Chi 62 187.86 7.40
掛け軸の幅さ Scroll Width 113 342.39 13.48
掛け軸の長さ Scroll Length 288 872.64 34.36



This display could be used for a springtime or early summer themed display when the orchids are in bloom. The shoku for the tree is too small, but it is the only one that I own. Also, the bonsai is not real. I have a black thumb and kill every living bonsai…so I just have to go with what works for me.

修行者と宮仕え The Recluse & the Court Maid

修行者と宮仕え

しゅうぎょうしゃとみやづかえ　（Shuugyousha to Miyazukae）

The Recluse and the Court Maid
If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com 

This scroll’s painting was done by Ren Adams in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She helped me man my booth at a Karate tournament in Albuquerque New Mexico. This scroll is for sale. The first thing that came to my mind in developing the scroll was the solitary setting in nature. The common items of the 山侍Yama Samurai (Mountain Samurai) are very apparent in the picture, including the 着物 kimono (robe)、蓑 mino (straw hat)、刀 katana (sword). 

Name in Kanji      Name in English      Size in Bun      Size in Centimeters      Size in Inches

天                        Ten                                 53                   160.59                          6.32

上中廻し             Ue Chuumawashi     45                   136.35                          5.37

紙本の幅さ         Artwork Width        73.5                222.705                        8.77

紙本の長さ         Artwork Length       110                 333.3                           13.12

柱                        Pillars                             17                   51.51                            2.03

下中廻し             Shita Chuumawashi 24                    72.72                           2.86

地                       Chi                                   39                    118.17                         4.65

掛け軸の幅さ    Scroll Width               107.5                325.725                     12.82

掛け軸の長さ    Scroll Length              271                   821.13                       32.33

This scroll took an extraordinarily long time to make, because I had a hard time envisioning what I wanted to show in the scroll. I finally decided that this would look best in a Nidan Hyougu style (2 Step Scroll) without the Ichimonji (brocade). Originally I had attached a khaki for the Ten and the Chi, but due to problems with the cloth I had to change it to the Navy cloth. It still had some problems, with a little Uki, which made me very disappointed. I do love how the red karakusa makes the scroll pop but to me does not detract from the artwork on the Honshi.

In designing the display, I wanted to contrast two different ways of life. There is the recluse living within nature, and the court maid experiencing the opulent court life. Both must find joy in their respective difficulties. The mountain hermit suffers from exposure to harsh elements, and scarcity of food. However, being away from the distractions of society he is able to attain enlightenment and search his inner soul deeply. Does not this bring joy to the individual? The court maid on the other hand suffers from the political intrigue, hard work and shifting alliances within court politics. She has the benefits of having bounteous food, drink and apparel and is protected from outside danger and elements. Does not this also bring joy to the individual? In all castes and socialities of human kind, no one will have identical experiences. It is every individual’s responsibility to seek and learn to attain joy in whatever state that fate has been set upon us. We do not know, nor can we control our destiny, but we do have the ability to find joy in whatever state of life we may find ourselves. In the decision to choose virtue, righteousness and joy no matter one’s circumstances, we human beings are all equal.

Bonsai in the Bluegrass

Some are already aware, but I have my first Kakejiku making class scheduled at Bonsai in the Bluegrass. It will be an all day class in Louisville Kentucky. Many bonsai artists know several points about the art of display. Here one can learn the technical side of scroll design and seeing the scroll from a different perspective.

The class is limited to 10 students and everyone will learn how to make their own scroll.
Lecture topics will include:
Definition of 表装　Hyousou

History of 掛け軸　Kakejiku
Concepts of Design
Japanese Measurement System (Rin厘, Bun分, Sun寸, & Shaku尺)
Making the Scroll – Many Subtopics



If you would like to schedule a workshop, lecture or demonstration for your organization, please contact to me at info@customjapanesecalligraphy.com

Autumn Japanese Seasonal Phrase

This phrase is from the August issue of the Shunju Calligraphy Society's assignment workbook. The phrase is for the beginning of the Autumn season, and would be a beautiful phrase to put into a scroll.

Rough Translation is, "To hear the Falling Leaves At Your Hometown".

秋屋葉聲中
If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com 

Kakejiku for Martial Artist

忍耐　創造　Nintai Souzou Patience Creativity
If you would like to order a custom scroll there are three ways to get started: 1. Go to my shopping site at www.shop.customjapanesecalligraphy.com 2. Download my scroll design workbook from my website at www.customjapanesecalligraphy.com to read about the concepts behind kakejiku or wallscroll design. 3. E-mail to me directly at sales@customjapanesecalligraphy.com 

This hanging scroll (掛け軸Kakejiku) was made as a gift for a martial artist. It is going as a set with a hand-made 剖検 Bouken, which is the wooden training sword used for martial arts training. The taupe cloth provides a sense of the natural world. The red ichimonji was selected to remind the practitioner of swordsmanship that the sword can draw blood. Care should be taken to use it for self-defense purposes only. The black lacquered wood jikusaki is a perfect complement to this scroll.

This scroll is written in the Gyousho style by 龍玉Ryugyoku. Some individuals have looked on keywords specifically for styles of writing. One way to tell if a piece is written in the semi-cursive style is that the character is still legible, but strokes will be connected by tapered, faint lines.

Name in Kanji Name in English Size in Bun Size in Inches

天 Ten 144 17.18

上一文字 Ue Ichimonji 10 1.19

紙本の幅さ Artwork Width 78 9.30

紙本の長さ Artwork Length 111 13.24

柱 Pillars 25 2.98

下一文字 Shita Ichimonji 6 0.72

地 Chi 88 10.50

掛け軸の幅さ Scroll Width 128 15.27

掛け軸の長さ Scroll Length 359 42.83