絵巻
Meanings
1
picture scroll; illustrated handscroll
Refers to a horizontal narrative scroll combining painting and text, a classic Japanese art form. Often used in the compound 絵巻物 (emakimono).
This picture scroll depicts a tale from the Heian period.
I saw a famous picture scroll at the art museum.
Usage patterns
- 絵巻を広げるto unroll a picture scroll
The curator gently unrolled the old picture scroll.
- 絵巻が繰り広げられるfor a vivid, scroll-like panorama (of events) to unfold
A magnificent panorama was unfolding on the battlefield.
- 〈事〉絵巻a vivid portrayal or panorama of a historical event or period
This film is a vivid panorama depicting the turmoil of the late Edo period.