How to Hang a Hanging Scroll
Your cherished hanging scrolls — whether they are precious works or personal favorites — are meant to be enjoyed as the seasons change or according to your mood.
With gentle and careful handling, it isn’t difficult to manage them properly. Let’s learn how to display your scrolls with care so you can continue to enjoy them for years to come.
This section introduces how to untie the cord and how to hang the scroll correctly.
How to Untie the Cord
① Begin by gently pulling the end of the cord (*makio*) to loosen the knot.
Hold the hanging scroll in one hand and pull the cord toward you with the other. Do not rotate the scroll — instead, move only the end of the cord to untie it.
③ Let the cord hang down along the back of the scroll, and move it toward the lower side (*gesa*) of the *tokonoma* (alcove).
(*Note: The position of the *tokonoma* may vary depending on the home, but the side with the decorative pillar, or *tokobashira*, is considered the lower side.*)
④ After untying the cord, place the hanging scroll on a flat surface. If the scroll has *fūtai* (decorative hanging strips), gently straighten any creases.
How to Hang the Scroll
Before hanging a scroll, it is important to decide the proper height.
Hanging scrolls are traditionally meant to be appreciated while seated, so the ideal height is one where the viewer looks slightly upward at the scroll.
If you wish to adjust the height, use a tool called a *jizai* (adjustable hook). Attach the *jizai* to the metal fitting first, set it to your preferred height, and then hang the scroll.
Be sure to make any height adjustments with the *jizai* before actually hanging the scroll.
⑤ Hold the *yahazu* (hook-shaped tool) in your right hand and gently support the center of the scroll from underneath with your left hand. Hook the *yahazu* onto the hanging cord, lift the scroll slowly upward, and hang the cord onto the metal fitting.
⑥ Set the *yahazu* down, hold both roller ends (*jikusu*) with your hands, and gently lower the scroll.
When viewed from a seated position, the ideal height is one that allows you to look slightly upward toward the artwork.