Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
回転のぞき絵 (kaitennozokie) Japanese meaning: zoetrope | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
I saw a demonstration of a zoetrope at the museum.
The zoetrope is said to be one of the origins of animation.
Kanji 転 revolve, turn around, change 絵 picture, drawing, painting 覗 peep, peek, come in sight Related words ゾートロープ Katakana loanword for the same device; more common in modern technical or international contexts.
フェナキストスコープ Another early animation device using a spinning disc; related but distinct from the cylindrical zoetrope.
Written forms 回かい 転てん のぞき 絵え
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling for this term.
回かい 転てん 覗のぞ き 絵え
Full kanji spelling using 覗き; less common but still seen.
Etymology Compound of 回転 (rotation) + のぞき (peeping) + 絵 (picture), literally 'rotating peep-show picture'. The term describes the device's mechanism of viewing images through slits while spinning.
