very short story; short short story; conte
Refers to an extremely short piece of fiction or a brief article, shorter than a typical short story. Often used in literary contexts.
He is known as a master of very short stories.
This short short story delivers a deep impression in just three pages.
短編 covers any short work, whereas 掌編 specifically means an extremely short piece, like flash fiction, shorter than a typical 短編.
Standard kanji spelling for a very short story or article.
Rare variant combining 小 and 篇.
Alternate kanji spelling using 篇 instead of 編.
Rare variant; 小 can be read しょう, but this spelling is uncommon.
Compound of 掌 (しょう, 'palm of the hand') and 編 (へん, 'compilation; piece of writing'), suggesting a story that fits in the palm of one's hand, i.e., very short.