I'd recommend going traditional, if the price is right. My mom recently took some family calligraphy pieces to be mounted on scrolls in the traditional manner, and they look great. Ask around in your local Chinatown if you're interested in going this route.

Here's a thought. If you want them to look vaguely traditionally Asian, and yet have them protected from the elements, you could frame each of the four of them in its own long, tall vertical frame, with glass, and mounted on your choice of color (I'd either go with something completely neutral like black or a beige that blends with the paper, unless you desperately need a "pop" of color, in which I would do a red that would bring out the "chop" (signature stamp).

The frames, themselves, might out to be wood that's painted black, though. Yes, if that's custom, it's gonna cost ya. But some places like the Michael's chain of craft stores, carry black metal frames which you buy in pairs of sides that you assemble your self. So, then you'd just need them to cut the appropriate size piece of glass.

Regardless of the fact that some are vertical and some are horizontal, I would have their frames be long, tall and vertical, and hung together. I think it could look VERY good.

You could go to a craft/art supply store and just get the sectional pieces of a frame and put one together yourself. http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=fl0082&channelid= It might be cheaper than getting it done professionally and may take less time too.

Whatever frame you pick, make sure you know which is the top ( you got it right. the artist's name and seal is gernerally on the left side with seal under the name). I cannot stand the art work to be diaplayed up side down. Very annoying.

i used to work in a custom framing shop. so, i can tell you it's $$ but since you cherish this, you may wanna get some help in this case.

since you have so much ikea stuff, i'd probably maybe a dark wood frame w/ a very thick clean line. that way you would have the minimalist style of your decor & the art.

don't let the framing guy talk you into something. they tend to work on commission. half the time there are several frames that look exactly the same & have huge price ranges. the more ornate, the more it's gonna cost. take your time & look at everything on the wall. don't be afraid to ask them to pull out 10 frame sample that all look the same & compare prices. i've seen them be a $100 diff.

the art is gorgeous, btw. :)

Make sure you use a UV glass to help protect the vibrany colors and if you are not using a mat use spacers between the art and the glass. They go under the lip of the frame and come in black or clear. This will keep the art from sticking to the front of the glass over time. If you really want an incredible look go for the museum glass it is UV as well as nonglare but crystal clear.

Definitely take them to professional frame shop. I have a beautiful painting of chrysanthemums from Japan, framed in Japan. It's got a silk trim(!) and is framed with hard wood in honey gold tone. I would use archival/ acid-free matting or backing...learned from watching Antique's Road Show.
www.jeeyunlee.com

I have some calligraphy too that was done by my grandfather. I just floated them in one of those glass frames without edges - basically two pieces of glass clipped together. It's a very clean, simple look. I didn't think about art sticking to the glass though - good point by Brooke, though I think with this kind of paper it's not as much of an issue.

Another piece that I had framed (probably a little bigger than yours) cost about $150 for frame+mat.

by the way, the black ink doesn't fade, but the colored ink will fade VERY easily. So if you go for the custom framing, definitely spring for the extra UV protection as Brooke mentioned.

For the calligraphy pieces please use archival materials: acid free mat, acid free backing paper and museum/uv glass (not really a must but if you're gonna be hanging them close to a window then it is a must).

A cheap way to do this, buy ready made frames. I don't know how the market in the us is but here in switzerland we get minimalist aluminum frames (choice of mat, chromed or brushed finish) at around CHF 24.- for 40cmx50cm size.

Order the mat and backing paper custom. Both mat and backing paper can be buffered (traditional silver gelatin prints need unbuffered paper).

Then assemble everything yourself: Attach the calligraphic pieces with a tiny strip of japanese hinging tape to the mat at the top end (I suggest against dry or cold mounting to the backing paper).

When everything is put together, seal the back edges with gummed tape to prevent dust from getting through.

I'd recommend getting the same size of frame for all of the artwork. That way you can hang them in a group like you've arranged above or you can also hang them horizontally.

Typical for what I'd spend for a 40x50 frame with standard acid free mat, backing board, non uv glass is around CHF 35.- (US $29.-) If you want to go the super archival you can order artcare microchamber mats and boards custom cut to your specs. They are expensive to buy and self cut (minimum orders of 25 huge sheets etc).

You'll have to buy the white gummed tape (pH neutral) in rolls and you can buy japanese hinging tape in pre torn packages (around 5 dollars after googling for US suppliers).

Best of luck.

Edwin