Illustrated handscrolls, emakimono , or emaki (絵巻) is an illustrated horizontal narration system of painted handscrolls that dates back to Nara-period Japan. Initially copying their much older Chinese counterparts in style, during the succeeding Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura periods (1185–1333), Japanese emakimono developed their own distinct style. The term therefore refers only to Japanese painted narrative scrolls.
Detail from the Genji Monogatari Emaki, a classic 12th century emakimono of the imperial court
Detail of calligraphy of the Genji Monogatari Emaki, on richly decorated paper
Example of a complete scroll of an emakimono, the Ippen Shōnin Eden (seventh scroll, 1299, Tokyo National Museum). Reading direction is from right to left. Traditionally, the reader never fully unwinds the roll, but unwinds it with one hand while rewinding it with the other, learning the story piecemeal.
Illustrated Sutra of Cause and Effect [fr], 8th century
The handscroll is a long, narrow, horizontal scroll format in East Asia used for calligraphy or paintings. A handscroll usually measures up to several meters in length and around 25–40 cm in height. Handscrolls are generally viewed starting from the right end. This kind of scroll is intended to be read or viewed flat on a table, in sections. The format thus allows for the depiction of a continuous narrative or journey.
Section of a handscroll painting, Early Autumn by Song loyalist painter Qian Xuan.
Japanese, section of the Nezame Monogatari Emaki, 12th century
The extant nine scenes of the Admonitions of the Court Instructress, scene 4 at the right to scene 12 at the left
Panorama of Along the River During the Qingming Festival by Zhang Zeduan (1085–1145)
![Illustrated Sutra of Cause and Effect [fr], 8th century](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Illustrated_Sutra_of_Cause_and_Effect2.JPG/640px-Illustrated_Sutra_of_Cause_and_Effect2.JPG)
