Japanese Kakemono Kingfisher & Bamboo Painting with Calligraphy – Original Hand-Painted Hanging Scroll, Showa Period Nihonga Style

1. Calligraphy & Inscription Meaning

The handwritten poem reads vertically:

此あたり
目にふれ来るものを
みな涼し

Approximate romanization:
Kono atari / me ni fure kuru mono o / mina suzushi

English poetic translation:

“Here,
everything that meets the eye
feels refreshingly cool.”

This short poem follows the spirit of modern haiku / senryū, expressing the gentle freshness of a summer landscape — flowing water, rustling bamboo, and the quiet presence of a kingfisher.

On the left appears the artist’s inscription accompanied by a red seal. The small note below reads 芭蕉の写 (Bashō no utsushi), meaning “in the spirit of Bashō.” This indicates the poem was composed as an interpretation inspired by Matsuo Bashō’s haiku tradition, rather than a direct quotation.

The calligraphy is soft, airy, and highly personal — characteristic of 20th-century Japanese shoga (calligraphy–painting) works, where emotional expression is favored over formal classical script.

🌿 2. Imagery Symbolism & Japanese Cultural Meaning

Kingfisher (Kawasemi – 翡翠)

In Japanese culture, the kingfisher symbolizes:

– good fortune
– clarity and precision
– purity associated with clean flowing water

Bamboo

– integrity
– resilience
– flexibility in adversity

Flowing Water

– the passage of time
– purification of the mind

Together, these elements create a serene summer atmosphere traditionally displayed in:

– tea rooms
– meditation spaces
– Japanese-style living rooms
– creative studios

For modern collectors, this scroll serves beautifully as:

– spiritual wall art
– a focal point in wabi-sabi interiors
– a meaningful artistic gift
– an entry piece into nature-themed Japanese kakemono collecting