Noriyoshi Ohrai Hanging Scrolls and Goods

[Noriyoshi Ohrai, a solitary illustrator]

Noriyoshi Ohrai is an illustrator who has been drawing mainly commercial packaging illustrations and has given 'life' to many products. People call him a solitary illustrator. Noriyoshi Ohrai has been involved in various scenes as an illustrator, such as street corners, cinemas, magazines, novels, etc. The scrolls, T-shirts, fans and mugs on sale this time are based on our wish to convey the 'spirit' of NORIYOSHI OHRAI to as many people as possible.

After winning international acclaim for his work on the international poster for Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back, he continued to draw a wide range of illustrations, including for Harmagedon, Godzilla Heisei Version and Nobunaga's Ambition/game software, and has created over 3,000 works in his lifetime.

Noriyoshi Ohrai's original ideas, such as the representation of a green universe, which had never before been used in conventional methods of expression, and the composition of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which reverses perspective, have had a major impact on the world of illustration since then. In today's digitalised world of illustration, Noriyoshi Ohrai's illustrations have been created using a primitive approach with his eyes and hands. It is no exaggeration to say that no other illustrator like him will appear in the future.

We have created a product using illustrations by Noriyoshi Ohrai to pass on the name of this world-class illustrator and the pictures he has drawn to future generations, if only for a short while.

[Words of Ohrai Noriyoshi]

"I am a manual labourer and prefer to carry out the whole process of work by hand. I use simple and conventional tools such as ruler, compass, brush, pen and pencil as much as possible, and I do not like to copy anything from a machine or create an inorganic surface during the production process."

(Extract from "Words of Noriyoshi Ohrai: Noriyoshi Ohrai Illustration", Tokuma Shoten)

This project team and the scroll-maker Taishin Sagawa have taken on the challenge of 'making a scroll for enjoyment' in response to the delicate, yet powerful, overlap between Noriyoshi Lai's self-discipline in his work as a painter and Miyamoto Musashi's dedication to mastering the art of swordsmanship.

What are hanging scrolls?

Hanging scrolls (kakejiku) are said to have been introduced from China around the 7th century. At the time of their arrival, they were valued not for viewing, but for worship. Later, the popularity of the 'tea ceremony' led to a shift to a more prestigious culture. In the Edo period (1603-1868), the value of enjoying hanging scrolls is said to have taken root.

We interpret the kakejiku culture, which has established its own culture in Japan, as a culture rooted in the uniquely Japanese act of "entertaining guests", and not just as a personal object of appreciation.

We encourage you to enjoy it freely, without being bound by rules on how to display it.

[Illustrations used for hanging scrolls.]

Illustrations drawn for the novel "Musashi", including swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, are used. The Book of Five Rings, left by Miyamoto Musashi, has won the hearts of many fans overseas, not only as a book of military techniques, but also as a business book.

[Limited edition of 200 pieces worldwide! Miyamoto Musashi & Sasaki Kojiro Hanging Scroll]

Hanging scroll with original illustrations printed on special original Japanese paper developed for hanging scrolls. Limited to 200 pieces worldwide, with a seal of approval and an edition number on the reverse side. As a suitable mounting for Miyamoto Musashi & Sasaki Kojiro, we chose the maru-hyoso style, which uses the same fabric for all but one of the most important parts on the top and bottom of the scroll. The simple mounting of this hanging scroll emphasises the vigour and power of the painting.

[Small hanging scrolls]

Slightly smaller hanging scrolls are also available. As with the limited edition hanging scrolls, they are in the authentic maru-hyoso style. The size of the illustrations is almost the same as the original size. Three pieces are available - Miyamoto Musashi, Battle of Ganryu Island and Sasaki Kojiro- to create the story's climax.

[Mini hanging scrolls]

Mini hanging scroll is a challenge to miniaturise as much as possible while keeping the authentic kakejiku production. Although small in size, the design emphasises illustration as the main feature. The illustration measures approx. 19.5 cm (W) x 26.5 cm (H), making it a "mini" scroll with a strong presence.

[Development of original Japanese paper]

Thin paper was needed for the hanging scrolls, and original Japanese paper was produced after many improvements. The original Japanese paper made it possible to produce delicate, clear reproductions without blurring.

[Miyamoto Musashi goods]

In addition to the hanging scrolls, other Miyamoto Musashi-themed items include cotton T-shirts printed almost to the original size, mugs, and Kyoto fans carefully made one by one by craftsmen in Kyoto. The three-piece mug set is with reproduced signature by Noriyoshi Ohrai.