Shigajiku

Shigajiku (詩画軸), also sometimes Romanized as Shiga-jiku, refers to a specific type of Japanese hanging scroll (kakemono) that combines poetry (詩, shi) and painting (画, ga). These scrolls are traditionally mounted on silk or paper and displayed for appreciation of both the visual art and the accompanying verse.

The poetry typically consists of Chinese-style poems (kanshi), Japanese waka, or haiku, often written in calligraphy. The painting might be a landscape, a portrait, a still life, or an abstract design, often complementing the theme or mood of the poem.

Shigajiku are considered a form of collaborative art, sometimes created by a single artist skilled in both poetry and painting, and sometimes the result of a collaboration between a poet and a painter. The aesthetic value of a shigajiku lies in the harmonious interplay between the visual and textual elements. Careful consideration is given to the placement and balance of the poem and the painting within the scroll's composition.

The practice of creating and appreciating shigajiku has a long history in Japan, influenced by Chinese artistic and literary traditions. They were particularly popular among the literati and members of the intellectual elite, who often exchanged them as gifts or displayed them in their homes as expressions of their refined taste and artistic sensibilities.

Shigajiku continue to be produced and appreciated today, although perhaps not as widely as in past centuries. They remain a significant part of Japanese art history and offer a glimpse into the cultural values and artistic practices of previous generations.

Related Terms:

• Kakemono
• Kanshi
• Waka
• Haiku
• Calligraphy