Translation guide
A hanging scroll is a traditional East Asian wall decoration, typically made of paper or silk, with a painting or calligraphy, mounted on a backing and hung vertically. In Japanese, the most common term is 掛け軸 (kakejiku), but other words exist depending on context.
The most common, everyday term for a hanging scroll used for decoration, tea ceremony, or displaying art.
The standard word for a hanging scroll. Used in homes, tea rooms, and traditional settings.
床の間に掛け軸が掛けてあります。
There is a hanging scroll displayed in the alcove.
この掛け軸は祖父の遺品です。
This hanging scroll is a memento from my grandfather.
A shorter, more casual term for a hanging scroll, often used in compounds or when the context is clear.
あの軸は誰の筆ですか。
Whose brushwork is that scroll?
A scroll used in temples or for religious purposes, often depicting a deity or mandala.
When emphasizing the vertical orientation, as opposed to a horizontal scroll or handscroll.
Refers to a vertically oriented hanging scroll, often used in art or antique contexts.
この縦物は江戸時代のものです。
This vertical scroll is from the Edo period.
Hanging scrolls are typically displayed in a tokonoma (alcove) and changed seasonally. When not in use, they are rolled and stored in a special box.