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)
A scroll, also known as a roll, is a roll of papyrus, parchment, or paper containing writing.
The Joshua Roll, Vatican Library. An illuminated scroll, probably of the 10th century, created in the Byzantine empire.
Scroll of the Book of Esther, Seville, Spain
Ingredients used in making ink for Hebrew scrolls today
Volumen and Rotulus, two types of scrolls