Emakimono

Emakimono (Japanese絵 巻 物), short- Emaki (絵 巻) is a form of illustrated stories, which dates back to the Heian period in Japan. Emakimono combines text and images. It is drawn, painted or printed on a hand roller. It can be seen as an early form of the sequential representation Emakimono together with the Egyptian hieroglyphics, medieval European churches - glass windows and some pre-Columbian Mesoamerican manuscripts.

This art form developed in the 10th century and is influenced by cultural elements and scrolls along with Buddhism in the 6th century came to Japan (see Buddhism in Japan).

A Emakimono is read from right to left, is the role unrolled with one hand and rolled up with the other simultaneously. In this way, can always be seen, only a section of the story. It is expected that at the end of the roller rolls back again, just like a video after seeing it.

The Emakimono role is tied with a string and stored individually or in a special, sometimes elaborately decorated, box, along with other roles.

The most famous Emaki is an illustration of the Genji Monogatari. It is based on the written around the year 1000 history of the court lady Murasaki Shikibu.