Emakimono

Description: A Description of Emakimono

The painting of emakimono (picture scrolls) is an ancient, traditional art form in Japan which has been passed down from the Heian (794-1192) and Kamakura (1192-1333) periods. Emakimono are composed of a number of scenes illustrating narrative tales, biographies and so on to which corresponding textual descriptions are attached. Since they were originally made as makimono (scrolls), they were intended to be viewed from right to left; the left hand unrolling and the right re-rolling the scroll. Because this book is a bound version of a traditional emakimono its pages are not ordered in the traditional Western fashion. It is meant to be opened to the right and the scenes on each page are to be viewed from right to left. As each scene changes, time also passes. In one painting, two or three different times and/or places may be illustrated. Most scenes are divided by intervening mountains or trees and shrubs while some are separated by clouds or banks of mist. Each painting is also bordered by banks of mist at the top and bottom. This is a special characteristic of Tosa-e, a traditional painting school of the Yamato-e (painting styles of Japan).

In addition, the omission of a roof or ceiling in order to draw the viewer's eyes to a particular area of a scene is also a technique unique to the Tosa-e school. All the paintings contained in this book are executed in a gentle, graceful style, creating an overall presentation of refinement. This is also a special characteristic of Japanese painting schools.