絵巻(えまき)

えまき
noun
picture scroll, illustrated scroll
1. picture scroll, illustrated narrative scroll
A horizontal scroll with illustrations, often telling a story. A major art form in classical Japan, combining painting with narrative text. Short for 絵巻(えまき)物(もの).
絵巻(えまき)を広(ひろ)げて鑑賞(かんしょう)する。
Unroll and appreciate a picture scroll.
この絵巻(えまき)は平安(へいあん)時代(じだい)に描(えが)かれたものだ。
This picture scroll was painted during the Heian period.
国宝(こくほう)に指定(してい)されている絵巻(えまき)物(もの)が特別(とくべつ)展示(てんじ)され、全国(ぜんこく)から多(おお)くの来場者(らいじょうしゃ)が訪(おとず)れた。
A picture scroll designated as a National Treasure was put on special display, and many visitors came from all over the country.

USAGE NOTE:
絵巻(えまき) is the short form of 絵巻(えまき)物(もの) (emakimono). These horizontal scrolls are read by unrolling them from right to left, revealing the narrative scene by scene. Famous examples include the 源氏(げんじ)物語(ものがたり)絵巻(えまき) (Tale of Genji picture scroll) and the 鳥獣(ちょうじゅう)戯画(ぎが) (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 絵巻(えまき)物(もの) (picture scroll — full form)
  • 絵巻(えまき)を広(ひろ)げる (unroll a picture scroll)
  • 物語(ものがたり)絵巻(えまき) (narrative picture scroll)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 掛(か)け軸(じく): hanging scroll (vertical, for display)
  • 巻物(まきもの): scroll (general term, can be text-only)
general
Added 2026.2.28 9:46
14000/14098_emaki