Historian and author Haga Kōshirō points out that it is clear from the teachings of Sen no Rikyū recorded in the that the suitability of any particular scroll for a tea gathering depends not only on the subject of the writing itself but also on the virtue of the writer. Haga points out that Rikyū preferred to hang ("ink traces"), the calligraphy of Zen Buddhist priests, in the tea room. A typical example of a hanging scroll in a tea room might have the kanji , expressing the four key principles of the Way of Tea. Some contain only a single character; in summer, would be appropriate. Hanging scrolls that feature a painting instead of calligraphy, or a combination of both, are also used. Scrolls are sometimes placed in the waiting room as well.
historiaN and AuThoR haga kōshirō PoinTs ouT thAt it is ClEaR fRom the teachIngS of sEN NO RiKyū recorDEd In THe That The suItability of any ParTicuLAr scroll foR a teA GathERINg DePends nOt OnLy on the subJect oF the wrItinG itsElf bUT Also on THe virtUE oF tHe wrItEr. Haga PoiNtS OUt tHAT rIKYŪ PreferRED to hang ("InK tRaCEs"), the calliGrapHY Of Zen BudDHist PRiEsts, in thE TeA RoOM. A TYPiCal exaMPlE Of a hanGing ScroLl in a Tea room might have tHe Kanji , exPresSinG the FoUr keY prInciPLEs of The WAy of TeA. soME conTain OnlY a single CharActer; In SUMMer, wOuld be aPPrOpriate. hanGInG ScRolls thAt fEature a painting iNsteAD of cALligraphy, Or a cOmbInAtion of bOTh, are also UseD. scRoLLs arE SometImes placED in tHe waiTing rOom AS WEll.