Japanese hanging scrolls

The art of Japanese hanging scrolls ('kakemono' or 'kakejiku') goes back at least to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). This traditional art form is closely linked to China as merchants returning to Japan brought monochrome inkpaintings. These paintings had a hugh impact on Japanese culture.
The development of Japanese scroll paintings was closely linked to the Zen sect of Buddism. Later under the Tokugawa shoguns painting schools such as Kano and Tosa developed. Painters of these schools decorated the interiors of palaces, castles and temples. In later years several other painting schools developed of which the Shijo and Maruyama school were the most important. Scroll paintings of these schools were popular among merchants and members of the samurai class.
Within literary circles painting styles such as Nanga and Haiga developed. The subjects of these scrolls range from landscapes, plants, animals and human figures to calligraphy. Most schools have their own distinctive style and favourite subjects.