Pine(sho), bamboo(chiku), Ume apricot(bai) is called as [Sho-Chiku-Bai] and it is an essential combination for various celebrations and a symbol for happiness and good luck. Pine trees are a? Symbol for longevity and abundance because of their sturdiness and botany of evergreen. Bamboos are also very sturdy, abundant and evergreen trees. People like the characteristics of they grow tall and very straight yet they are very flexible as a material. Ume apricots bloom first in the very early spring among all other flowering trees. Their fruits are originally used for a medicine and they are now widely consumed as a food and a drink known as “Umeboshi” and? In Japan we have a saying “cranes live a thousand years and turtles live ten thousand years”[??? – Tsuru-wa-sennen, Kame-wa-mannen]. Both animals are typical animals which have a long lifespan. Therefore cranes and turtles are a symbol for longevity. These symbolic turtles drawn for KAKEJIKU or other artworks often have long hair on their backs. This is actually a type of stringy algae growing on their shells and it is considered to be more valuable and a great symbol for longevity. ? -The Japanese Hanging Scroll- and how to enjoy them? KAKEJIKU is traditionally displayed in TOKONOMA(an alcove in traditional Japanese room). They maily display for their guests and for carrying out the seasonal events. So why don’t you have a few and try changing them depends on the guests, seasons and even for your feelings! Modern Japanese houses even don’t have a TOKONOMA, so less and less people are displaying them these days. It is a shame that people forget about KAKEJIKU. However it is more important to actually display, respect and enjoy in your own ways rather than following all the traditional ways. You can enjoy freely and display in just like any ways!! This is a cheaper method than EMS and a faster method than SAL. But I don’t recommend SAL. When you request SAL, please contact me. Doing that is against U.
