随筆(ずいひつ)

随筆(ずいひつ) is the Japanese term for personal essays. The genre has a long history in Japan, with classics like 枕草子(まくらのそうし) (The Pillow Book) and 徒然草(つれづれぐさ) (Essays in Idleness).

The word literally means 'writing following the brush' (随(ずい) = following, 筆(ひつ) = brush/pen), suggesting the informal, flowing nature of the writing.

Compounds

• 随筆(ずいひつ)家(か): essayist
• 随筆(ずいひつ)集(しゅう): essay collection

Classic japanese essays

• 枕草子(まくらのそうし): The Pillow Book (Sei Shōnagon)
• 徒然草(つれづれぐさ): Essays in Idleness (Yoshida Kenkō)
• 方丈記(ほうじょうき): An Account of My Hut (Kamo no Chōmei)

Similar words

• エッセイ: essay (loanword, more commonly used in modern contexts)