Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Art-and-Literature-Terminology

Japanese Vocabulary → Arts and Media → Art and Literature Terminology

As a Japanese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I find that learning about the art and literature terminology in Japanese is one of the most fascinating parts of the language. In this lesson, you will learn about the different art and literature forms in Japan, including painting, calligraphy, poetry, and novel, and their unique expressions and terminology.

Japanese Painting Terminology

Japanese painting, also known as "nihonga," has a long history dating back to the 7th century. It uses materials such as silk, paper, and wood, and is characterized by its use of natural pigments and techniques such as sumi-e (ink wash). Here are some common Japanese painting terms:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
絵画	kaiga	painting
線描	senbyou	line drawing
染付	sometsuke	blue-and-white porcelain
奥行き	okuyuki	depth
色彩	shikisai	colors

Japanese Calligraphy Terminology

Japanese calligraphy, or "shodo," is a form of artistic writing that emphasizes the beauty of the characters themselves. It originated from Chinese calligraphy and has been a part of Japanese culture for over a millennium. Here are some common Japanese calligraphy terms:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
書道	shodou	calligraphy
漢字	kanji	Chinese character
筆	fude	writing brush
墨	sumi	ink
濃淡	noutan	shades of grey

Japanese Poetry Terminology

Japanese poetry, or "waka," is a traditional form of poetry that has been practiced for over a millennium. It is known for its use of syllabic meter and the use of seasonal words, or "kigo," that reflect the time of year. Here are some common Japanese poetry terms:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
歌	uta	poem
俳句	haiku	haiku
連句	renku	linked verse
季語	kigo	seasonal word
切れ	kire	cutting word

Japanese Novel Terminology

Japanese novels, or "shosetsu," have a rich tradition dating back to the 10th century. They cover a wide range of topics and styles, from classical tales of warriors and romance to modern-day stories of love and loss. Here are some common Japanese novel terms:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
小説	shousetsu	novel
作者	sakusha	author
登場人物	toujou jinbutsu	character
物語	monogatari	story
プロット	purotto	plot

Learning about art and literature in a new language requires patience, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. By understanding the terminology and expressions unique to the culture, you can deepen your appreciation of the art forms and their stories. Good luck!

Sources

• Japanese Painting
• Japanese Poetry

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

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Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

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Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

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Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

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Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

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Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

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Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

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Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Related Lessons

• Unique Expressions
• Nature
• Numbers
• Country names
• Nationalities
• Transport
• Love
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture
• Mountain
• 四季 (The four seasons)