Encyclopedia of Shinto

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詳細表示 (Complete Article)

カテゴリー1： 4. Jinja (Shrines)
カテゴリー2： Objects of Worship and Shrine Treasures
Title
Emaki
Text
A kind of scroll composed of an illustrated narrative that unfolds as the scroll is unrolled. The origins of emaki are unknown, but they were produced as early as the late Heian period, and they assumed their present form in the twelfth century. The term emaki apparently dates to the early modern period. Prior to that time, they were referred to by a name describing the content followed by the suffix "-e" indicating they were illustrated. The content of emaki may be divided into the following major types: fictitious tales, historical tales; military tales; and tales of popular morality, preaching, and the deeds of the kami (setsuwa); otogi zōshi; scriptures (kyōten); tales of the origins of temples and shrines (jisha engi); and biographies of famous Buddhist priests.
Many emaki are related to Shinto; they include tales of the origins of ancient shrines (engi emaki), tales preaching the virtues or spiritual powers of the kami of such shrines (reigen emaki), illustrated writings (ekotoba), or the faith of famous Buddhist priests in the kami. Other scrolls depict shrine rites (sairei emaki). Motivations and contexts for the production of emaki varied widely, from the artistic expression of religiously inspired literary fables, to the desire to transmit images of shrine precincts and rituals to future generations.
— Okada Yoshiyuki

Pronunciation in Japanese/用語音声

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Picture scroll depicting Gion festival_Shinto Museum of Kokugakuin University____

Float (dashi) in Gion festival parade_Shinto Museum of Kokugakuin University_

Paraders in Gion festival_Shinto Museum of Kokugakuin University_