#hyougu

A message to a future artisan

A person who makes kakejiku (hanging scrolls),  byoubu (folding scrolls) etc. is called Hyougu-shi or Kyouji.

There are many, many steps to complete those our traditional mountings.

In addition to learn the process and designs, Hyougu-shi needs to learn how to handle paper, water and starch.

Each handmade paper has different thickness and natural starch works different every time depend on the weather and temperature.

Hyougu-shi’s work is very difficult and sensitive.  I respect their job and of course Hyougu is inevitable to keep and show our traditional style art works.

Basically hyougu-shi doesn’t leave his autograph on his work because he is not an artist, but an artisan.

Mountings might be changed when the owner of the art work changes or the work becomes old.  

In many cases it happens 100 years, 200 years later.

So Hyougu-shi works carefully. He always imagines the next Hyougu-shi in the far future can work easily to remove the former one.  

I heard a good story when I was learning Hyougu.

There have been some Hyougu- shis who leave their names on this wood or other hidden parts discreetly when they feel they did very good job.