Translation guide
A horizontal or vertical scroll depicting a narrative or sequence of scenes through paintings, often accompanied by text. In Japanese culture, this primarily refers to emakimono (絵巻物), a classic art form.
Referring to the classic Japanese art form of a horizontal illustrated scroll that tells a story, often with calligraphic text.
The standard term for a traditional Japanese picture scroll, typically a horizontal handscroll combining painting and text to narrate a story.
This picture scroll is from the Heian period.
A famous picture scroll is the 'Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga' (Scroll of Frolicking Animals and Humans).
A shorter, common abbreviation of 絵巻物, used in everyday conversation and writing.
This picture scroll depicts a war tale.
Referring to any painted scroll from any culture, or a modern decorative scroll with pictures.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a scroll with pictures', used when the context is not specifically the traditional Japanese art form.
He hung a picture scroll he bought on his trip on the wall.
A more formal or literary term for a picture scroll, often used in art historical contexts. Can refer to non-Japanese scrolls as well.
Referring to a vertical scroll (kakejiku) that primarily features a painting rather than calligraphy.
絵巻物 (emakimono) is a horizontal handscroll unrolled from right to left, telling a sequential story. 掛け軸 (kakejiku) is a vertical hanging scroll displayed on a wall, often for decorative or meditative purposes. Use 絵巻物 for narrative scrolls, and 絵の掛け軸 for vertical picture scrolls.
While 絵巻物 is historical, the abbreviated 絵巻 can be used for modern illustrated scrolls or even metaphorically for a series of images that tell a story (like a photo album or comic). However, it still carries a traditional nuance.
This picture scroll depicts Chinese landscapes.
あの掛け物は有名な画家の作品です。
That hanging scroll is a work by a famous painter.