A scroll is a rolled document or artwork made of materials such as paper, silk, or parchment. Traditionally, scrolls were used as a medium for recording texts, paintings, and religious scriptures before the widespread adoption of bound books. In East Asia, scrolls became an essential form of artistic and literary expression, allowing for an unrolling experience that revealed content gradually, enhancing storytelling and visual appreciation.

The Lunar Zodiac, often referred to as the East Asian Zodiac, is a system of twelve animals that correspond to the lunar calendar. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, this tradition has been widely adopted and adapted by other East Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia, each adding their own cultural nuances while maintaining the shared foundation.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that celebrates imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism and emphasizes finding beauty in the simple, the humble, and the natural. Wabi-sabi contrasts sharply with Western ideals of perfection and symmetry, offering a more contemplative approach to art, design, and life.

Chinoiserie (from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese”) refers to a European artistic style inspired by Chinese art, design, and culture. It emerged during the 17th and 18th centuries, reaching its height in the Rococo period, and is characterized by a romanticized and idealized interpretation of Chinese aesthetics. This style is less about accurate depictions of Chinese culture and more about a European fantasy of the exotic East, blending Chinese motifs with Western decorative arts.

Art in Tibet, Mongolia, and Vietnam is deeply rooted in the region’s unique history, culture, and religion. While these traditions share influences from neighboring regions such as China and India, they each maintain distinct identities shaped by local beliefs and aesthetics.

Yamato-e (大和絵) is a classical Japanese painting style that emerged during the Heian period (794–1185 CE). Its name translates to “Japanese painting” and is used to distinguish it from Kara-e (唐絵), or “Tang-style painting,” which refers to Chinese-inspired art. Yamato-e reflects Japanese aesthetics, focusing on domestic themes, seasonal landscapes, and courtly life, with a unique emphasis on narrative storytelling and decorative beauty.

Bai Miao, meaning “plain drawing” or “line drawing,” is a traditional Chinese painting technique that emphasizes expressive lines rather than color or shading. It is one of the most refined and minimalist approaches in Chinese art, focusing on the purity of brushstrokes to convey depth, form, and emotion.

East Asian art encompasses the rich artistic traditions of China, Japan, Korea, and to some extent, their influence on neighboring regions like Vietnam and Mongolia. It reflects a shared cultural heritage shaped by philosophical, religious, and historical connections, yet each country has developed distinct styles, techniques, and themes.

Traditional Chinese animal painting is a significant genre within Chinese art, reflecting the deep cultural, philosophical, and symbolic connections between humans and animals. Often created using traditional techniques such as ink and wash (水墨画) or gongbi (工笔, meticulous brushwork), these paintings are rich in symbolic meanings and serve to convey moral lessons, philosophical ideas, and expressions of beauty in nature.

While there isn’t a formalized or universally recognized art style or genre called “Zen art” in the traditional sense, but the term is often used informally to describe artworks and aesthetics influenced by Zen Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China before spreading to Japan, Korea, and beyond. These can include a variety of artistic expressions and principles that align with Zen philosophy, emphasizing simplicity, mindfulness, and harmony with nature.