Kyo-hyogu is a traditional Kyoto craft in which paintings, calligraphy, and dyed or woven textiles are mounted and preserved using fabric and Japanese paper, taking the form of hanging scrolls, folding screens, sliding doors, and framed pieces. It originates in the mounting of Buddhist sutra scrolls brought from China with the introduction of Buddhism, and in Kyoto, once the imperial capital, the technique was refined through its ties to the worship of Buddhist paintings, the tokonoma alcove culture of shoin-zukuri architecture, and the flourishing of the tea ceremony. The basin climate's high humidity is also said to have supported the craft's development, being well suited to the process of layering paste and Japanese paper before drying them. Mounters (kyoji) not only create new hanging scrolls and folding screens but also handle the repair and restoration of old paintings, calligraphy, and cultural properties, and their skills are relied upon in the restoration of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. It received national Traditional Craft designation in 1997 and was registered as a regional collective trademark in 2007.
Origin
Mounting is said to originate in the mounting of Buddhist sutra scrolls brought from China with the introduction of Buddhism. Hanging scrolls that spread for the worship of Buddhist paintings became the prototype of hyogu, and in Kyoto, the imperial capital, the technique developed from the Nara and Heian periods onward as a way to display sutra scrolls and Buddhist paintings.
History
From the Muromachi period onward, as tokonoma alcove culture developed, hanging scrolls and folding screens spread among the warrior class, temples, and townspeople, and the work became established as the profession of the mounter. In the Edo period, the profession of hyogu-shi as it exists today became firmly established, and demand for tea-ceremony hanging scrolls also grew with the flourishing of the tea ceremony. It became a Traditional Craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1997.
Features
The process of layering fabric and Japanese paper repeatedly while alternating humidifying and drying is complex and demands advanced skill and experience. Beyond mounting art objects such as hanging scrolls, folding screens, sliding doors, and framed pieces, Kyo-hyogu artisans also handle the repair of cultural properties such as old paintings and calligraphy and Buddhist paintings, and their skills are put to use even in restoring National Treasure-class works. The high humidity of the Kyoto basin's climate is said to have been well suited to accumulating this expertise.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Initial consultation and estimate
The condition of the work or sliding door is checked, and the mounting style (hanging scroll, framing, etc.) and fabric are discussed.
- 2
Backing
Japanese paper is pasted in layers onto the back of the main sheet to increase strength and preservability, finished through repeated humidifying and drying.
- 3
Selecting and fitting the fabric
Fabric suited to the work is chosen and attached around the main sheet to give it the form of a hanging scroll or frame.
- 4
Finishing and drying
The mounted work is pasted onto a special stretching board or wall and thoroughly dried, then flattened and finished.
Artisans & Workshops
弘誠堂
A mounting shop continuing for three generations. Besides creating and restoring hanging scrolls, folding screens, and sliding doors, it also makes and sells interior décor items.
Official site →藤田月霞堂
A Kyo-hyogu workshop handling the mounting and restoration of hanging scrolls, framed pieces, folding screens, sliding doors, and partition screens.
Official site →How to Buy
- 京都表具協同組合
- An association of mounters licensed by the Kyoto Prefectural Governor. It publishes a list of member shops handling mounting and repair.Where to buy →PR
- 弘誠堂
- A mounting shop located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, where you can discuss creating or restoring hanging scrolls and folding screens.Where to buy →PR