Translation guide
A horizontal or vertical scroll depicting a narrative or sequence of scenes through paintings, often accompanied by text. In Japanese culture, this primarily refers to emakimono (絵巻物), a classic art form.
Referring to the classic Japanese art form of a horizontal illustrated scroll that tells a story, often with calligraphic text.
The standard term for a traditional Japanese picture scroll, typically a horizontal handscroll combining painting and text to narrate a story.
この絵巻物は平安時代のものです。
This picture scroll is from the Heian period.
有名な絵巻物に「鳥獣人物戯画」があります。
A famous picture scroll is the 'Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga' (Scroll of Frolicking Animals and Humans).
A shorter, common abbreviation of 絵巻物, used in everyday conversation and writing.
この絵巻は戦争の物語を描いています。
This picture scroll depicts a war tale.
Referring to any painted scroll from any culture, or a modern decorative scroll with pictures.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a scroll with pictures', used when the context is not specifically the traditional Japanese art form.
彼は旅行先で買った絵の巻物を壁に飾った。
He hung a picture scroll he bought on his trip on the wall.
A more formal or literary term for a picture scroll, often used in art historical contexts. Can refer to non-Japanese scrolls as well.
この画巻は中国の山水を描いている。
This picture scroll depicts Chinese landscapes.
Referring to a vertical scroll (kakejiku) that primarily features a painting rather than calligraphy.
Specifies a vertical hanging scroll with a picture, distinguishing it from calligraphy scrolls.
茶室に花の絵の掛け軸が掛けてある。
A picture scroll of flowers is hung in the tea room.
A general term for a hanging scroll, which can be a painting or calligraphy. Context must clarify it's a picture.
あの掛け物は有名な画家の作品です。
That hanging scroll is a work by a famous painter.
絵巻物 (emakimono) is a horizontal handscroll unrolled from right to left, telling a sequential story. 掛け軸 (kakejiku) is a vertical hanging scroll displayed on a wall, often for decorative or meditative purposes. Use 絵巻物 for narrative scrolls, and 絵の掛け軸 for vertical picture scrolls.
While 絵巻物 is historical, the abbreviated 絵巻 can be used for modern illustrated scrolls or even metaphorically for a series of images that tell a story (like a photo album or comic). However, it still carries a traditional nuance.