In this line of work, we often hear the phrase, “An encounter with a work of art happens only once in a lifetime.”

And in truth, we believe this is very much the case.

Whether or not we meet a work that feels destined for us depends on many different circumstances. Once that chance is missed, there are many cases where we may never encounter that same work again.

That is why we hope people will treasure each encounter they have with a work of art.

This time, we would like to introduce an episode in which we were able to offer our customer exactly that kind of encounter with a kakejiku hanging scroll.

Customers Visiting from Australia

The customers were a couple traveling in Japan from Australia.

They told us that their trip included Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Kobe, after which they planned to return to Tokyo before going home.

In Hiroshima, they had visited the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima. I have also been to Miyajima, so our conversation became quite lively as we talked about the deer there.

From the way they spoke, it seemed that Miyajima had become a very pleasant memory from their journey.

A Request for Calligraphy and Landscape Kakejiku

When we asked what kind of kakejiku they were looking for, they said they would like to see both calligraphy hanging scrolls and landscape hanging scrolls.

We also asked whether they preferred the standard long format or a shorter format.

They said they would prefer a shorter scroll.

Calligraphy Kakejiku

We first showed them several calligraphy kakejiku, including works with the characters “福,” “夢,” and “和.”

We explained that calligraphy kakejiku are not only about reading the characters, but also about enjoying the flow and movement of the brushwork, the strength of the strokes, and the beauty of the empty space.

Among them, the customers especially liked the kakejiku with the character “夢,” meaning “dream.”

Through our conversation, we came to understand why they were looking for a shorter kakejiku.

They told us that they have three cats at home. One of them is a muscular cat weighing about seven kilograms, and because it climbs onto many things, they had decided that a shorter hanging scroll would be more suitable.

It was very memorable when they laughed and described the cat as “Beautiful, but terrible.”

Proposing Landscape Kakejiku

Next, we began proposing landscape kakejiku.

While we were opening around three different landscape scrolls for them, a particular kakejiku that I vaguely remembered seeing somewhere in our shop suddenly came back to mind.

At ART NOMURA, we have several hundred kakejiku in stock. From among them, we listen to each customer’s wishes and pick out pieces that may suit their preferences.

Our staff are given a certain degree of freedom in deciding what to propose, but the kakejiku that came to my mind at that moment seemed absolutely perfect for these customers.

However, because it was a rare scroll, it was not stored in our usual stock area. I was honestly a little unsure whether I would be able to find it.

Still, regardless of whether or not the customers would actually choose it, I felt that it was worth showing to them at least once.

So I asked them to wait for a moment and returned to the stockroom to look for that scroll.

Fortunately, I was able to find the kakejiku I had in mind.

When I returned to the customers, I said:

“I would like to show you this item. You can understand the reason quickly.”

Then I opened the hanging scroll.

A Short Kakejiku Depicting Miyajima

What I had wanted to show them was a kakejiku depicting Miyajima.

In Japan, there are not many opportunities for customers to specifically request a hanging scroll of Miyajima, so it is not a subject that is often painted as a kakejiku motif.

However, we happened to have a scroll that had previously been painted for us by a Japanese-style painter.

When I heard the customers talking about Miyajima during their trip to Japan, I suddenly remembered this piece.

Moreover, it was a short type of kakejiku, which matched their request perfectly. That is why I really wanted to show it to them.

The moment I showed it to them, they truly understood my intention right away. They repeatedly said, “Crazy!! Beautiful!!” and seemed extremely pleased.

The work itself is a calm, ink-style landscape painting, with gold pigment used in certain areas. It has a dignified and refined atmosphere.

Because it overlapped with their memory of visiting Miyajima, their interest in the piece seemed to grow all at once.

The Final Decision

The customers thought very carefully about the purchase.

At first, they were considering buying two pieces, but in the end, they decided on the Miyajima landscape kakejiku, which they had liked so much.

The husband also told us that the day happened to be his wife’s birthday.

Through many different circumstances, we were able to introduce these customers to this kakejiku at exactly that moment.

It felt somehow fateful.

We would be very happy if this encounter became an unforgettable memory for them.

A Google Review From the Customer

Later, we received a very kind Google review from the customer.

“We were warmly welcomed when we visited ART NOMURA. We got to see a variety of wonderful art, all of high quality. We had our chosen piece shipped to us and it arrived two days after we arrived home 😊”

Not only were we happy that they liked the kakejiku we proposed in our shop, but we were also very pleased to hear that it arrived safely at their home in Australia.

Receiving such warm words afterward was truly encouraging for us.

We hope this kakejiku will be enjoyed in their home for many years, together with the memories of their trip to Japan.

For Those Looking for a Kakejiku in Japan

As in this case, we propose kakejiku while listening carefully to each customer’s story, including their intended use, where they wish to display the scroll, and their personal preferences.

Even if you purchase a kakejiku while traveling, we can also ship it to your home overseas, so please do not worry if you are unsure about carrying it with you during your trip.

If you are considering purchasing a kakejiku in Japan, or if you are looking for a hanging scroll as a memorable souvenir from your trip to Japan, please feel free to consult us.

We would be happy to help you find a kakejiku that resonates with your memories of your journey.