kakemono
RareTechnical/Specialised
Definition
Meaning
A Japanese hanging scroll, usually of painted or calligraphic art, mounted with fabric and rollers, designed to be displayed for a period and then stored.
A vertically-oriented artwork or decorative piece displayed by hanging, following a traditional Japanese format and aesthetic principles.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A loanword used primarily in contexts discussing Japanese art, culture, or interior design. It refers specifically to the format and mounting, not just the artwork itself. The word is often left untranslated in English texts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. The term is equally rare and specialised in both dialects.
Connotations
Connotes expertise in or appreciation for Japanese art; used almost exclusively in academic, artistic, or design contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both; appears almost only in literature on Japanese art or antiques.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] displays/hangs a kakemono.The kakemono depicts [Subject].A kakemono of/featuring [Subject].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too specialised for idiomatic use in English.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Potential use in high-end art dealing or auction catalogues.
Academic
Used in art history, Asian studies, or cultural anthropology when describing Japanese art forms.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in museology, conservation, and art criticism related to East Asian pictorial formats.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a Japanese kakemono in the museum.
- The traditional kakemono on the wall had beautiful calligraphy.
- For the tea ceremony, the host displayed a seasonal kakemono featuring a painting of autumn leaves.
- The Edo-period kakemono, meticulously mounted on silk brocade, was the centrepiece of the gallery's new exhibition on Zen aesthetics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cake, eh? Mo-no?' Imagine admiring a Japanese scroll and asking if the painted scene is of a cake. 'Kakemono' – is that a cake, mon? (No, it's a scroll!).
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS A TEMPORARY CEREMONY (as kakemono are displayed for specific seasons or occasions and then stored).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите дословно или как 'какое-то mono'.
- Это не просто 'картина' или 'свиток' – термин указывает на конкретный японский формат с китайскими/японскими иероглифами и определённым способом крепления.
- Не путать с 'эмакимоно' (絵巻物) – это горизонтальный свиток.
- В русском языке часто используется прямое заимствование 'какэмоно' или описательный перевод 'японский свиток для подвешивания'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to any Asian scroll (e.g., Chinese vertical scrolls, while similar, have distinct mountings and are not typically called kakemono).
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'k' sound in the middle (it's /kækɪˈmoʊnoʊ/, not /kækˈmoʊnoʊ/).
- Using it as a plural without adding 's' (kakemono is both singular and plural).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'kakemono' most specifically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in contexts related to Japanese art and culture.
A kakemono is a traditional format involving specific mounting techniques with fabric borders and rollers at the top and bottom, designed for temporary display and careful storage, unlike a permanently fixed poster.
In British English, it is approximately /ˌkækɪˈməʊnəʊ/ (ka-ki-MOH-noh). In American English, it is approximately /ˌkɑːkɪˈmoʊnoʊ/ (kah-ki-MOH-noh).
Yes, 'kakemono' is both the singular and plural form. It is not standard to add an 's' (kakemonos).