noun
emoji
Digital pictographs used in electronic messages and web pages, such as smileys, hearts, and food icons.
メッセージに絵文字を入れると、気持ちが伝わりやすい。
Adding emoji to a message makes it easier to convey feelings.
noun
pictorial symbol; pictograph; pictogram
A broader term for any picture-based symbol, including ancient pictograms or modern signage. Less common than the emoji sense.
古代の絵文字は、物や概念を直接表していた。
Ancient pictographs directly represented objects or concepts.
noun
Text-based art made with keyboard characters; a specific, somewhat dated use of the term.
昔の掲示板では、絵文字で作ったアスキーアートがよく使われた。
On old bulletin boards, ASCII art made with text characters was often used.
スタンプ (stamp) are larger, often illustrated stickers used in messaging apps, distinct from the smaller, standardized emoji set.
From 絵 (e, 'picture') + 文字 (moji, 'character'). The modern 'emoji' sense is a Japanese coinage that gained international use.