noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
realism; literalism
Refers to the artistic or literary movement that aims to depict subjects truthfully, without idealization. In Japanese contexts, often used for 19th-century European realism or its influence.
写実主義の画家は、日常の風景をありのままに描いた。
Realist painters depicted everyday scenes as they were.
この小
This novel is strongly influenced by realism.
Often used interchangeably with 写実主義, but リアリズム can also refer to philosophical realism or a pragmatic attitude, while 写実主義 is more strictly tied to artistic/literary movements.
Naturalism (自然主義) is a related but distinct movement that applies scientific principles to literature and art, often focusing on determinism and the darker sides of life, whereas 写実主義 emphasizes faithful representation without the scientific framework.
Compound of 写実 (shajitsu, 'realistic depiction') + 主義 (shugi, '-ism'). 写実 itself is a Meiji-era coinage from Chinese-derived roots, used to translate Western concepts of realism in art and literature.