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PR Video of the Traditional Japanese Art, Hitofude-ryuu

This video called “ 京都一筆龍【春夏秋冬】- Hitofude-ryu 【Four seasons】” produced by "Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu Orindo" promotes the traditional art Hitofude-ryu, painted with a single stroke.

The ability of these artists to create such breathtaking works of art in such a short amount of time is absolutely amazing. Hitofude-ryuu is a very attractive and graceful Japanese art.

This video features how the breathtaking Japanese art is painted.
Enjoy the techniques of hitofude-ryuu artists.

What Is Hitofude-ryuu?

Japan's traditional art form, Hitofude-ryuu, is a lucky charm used to connect people and bring success in business.
Hitofude- ryu has a long history. It has been used as a lucky charm or to expel evil spirits during the Edo Period. There was also another version called Hitofude-hebi that used snakes.
A ryu (dragon) was thought to be sacred and enshrined at temples as deities of agriculture because the shape of Japanese islands resembled a dragon.

There are two types of hitofude-ryuu in Orindo in Kyoto. The "Ascending dragon" and the "Descending dragon" are drawn to pray for success and protective power, respectively.
Nyoi-hoju” is one dragon that is said fulfill people's wishes and bring them good luck.

The painters of hitofude-ryuu all over Japan are called "hitofude-ryuu eshi" (hitofude-ryuu artists).
Keisuke Teshima, the painter in the video, is the most renowned and respected hitofude-ryuu artist.
You can see his work in this video at 0:05.
Don’t miss his amazing skills!

The popularity of hitofude-ryuu has increased overseas thanks to the video posted by Keisuke Teshima.
His performance in America in 2014 was highly regarded.
You should definitely see the video that shows how Teshima draws a hitofude-ryuu in his atelier.

How to Draw Hitofude-ryuu

As you can see from the video (0:05, 2:02, 3:39 and 4:44) , the body of a ryu is painted with the single stroke of a thick brush. The details such as a head or "Nyoi-hoju" are drawn with a thin brush ( 4:38).

First, the body of the dragon is drawn in a single stroke using a thick brush starting from the head.
Today, various colors such as red, blue, gold, and white are used to draw the dragons.
After a dragon is drawn, a painter finishes a background using special techniques such as powders.
The colorful dragons on black backgrounds seem to come alive.

Where to Buy Hitofude-ryuu

There are various types of hitofude-ryuu, such as Kyoto hitofude-ryuu, Koshu-ya hitofude-ryuu, and Hitofude-ryuu Takase in Nikko.
Omamori-hidofude-ryu and Chinese hitofude-ryuu are also popular. 

Hitofude-ryuu can be purchased on the official web-site or on online shopping sites, such as Rakuten or Amazon.
For full orders, be sure to check out the international section of Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu's website.
Orindo also offers live sales of Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu, which are painted on the spot.

If you hang a hitofude-ryuu artist's painting in your room, you'll have a nice change of atmosphere.
Hitofude-ryuu are well known as lucky charms and makes great presents that anyone would be happy to receive.

Summary of Hitofude-ryuu

This video called “ 京都一筆龍【春夏秋冬】- Hitohuderyu 【Four seasons】” produced by “Kyoto Hitofude-ryuu Orindo” features how to draw a traditional Japanese hitofude-ryuu.
If you haven't watched it yet, don't miss out on this amazing painting process.

Enjoy the traditional Japanese art- Hitofude-ryuu!

【Official web-site】Hitofude-ryuu | Kisuke Tejima, Hisofude ryu artist
https://www.onestrokedragon.com/

Written By
Last Updated : Oct. 4, 2020
Japan
鈴木 正孝(Masataka Suzuki)
A writer born and raised in Asakusa, Tokyo who loves traveling and novels
Hitofude-ryuu: The Beautiful One Stroke Dragons of Japan. Check Out These Amazing Works of Art!
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