Work in Which Work Does Its Work – Kawai Kanjiro Vintage Japanese Kakejiku Print, Showa Period #244

Vintage Japanese hanging scroll (kakejiku) featuring a print of a composition by Kawai Kanjiro (1890–1966), an influential Japanese ceramic artist and one of the leading figures of the Mingei folk art movement.

The composition features Kawai Kanjiro’s celebrated phrase “Work in Which Work Does Its Work,” expressing his philosophy of artistic creation. For Kawai, true craftsmanship arises when the maker becomes so deeply absorbed in the creative process that the distinction between the artist and the work itself disappears. The expressive calligraphy surrounds a stylized ceramic vessel, reflecting the artist’s lifelong dedication to pottery and the Mingei movement.

The print is presented in a traditional Japanese scroll mounting, featuring gold-toned brocade with a repeating decorative pattern against a muted blue background, complemented by rich brown textile. Particularly attractive are the cylindrical roller finials, with their distinctive mottled finish in deep blue, brown and earthy tones, reminiscent of Japanese studio pottery glazes.

Period: Showa, probably second half of the 20th century.

Material and technique: Print on paper, traditional textile kakejiku mounting.

Overall size: 50 × 129 cm

Print size: 33 × 34 cm

Condition: Good vintage condition. Minor age-related creasing and handling marks to the printed paper. The decorative mounting presents well.

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