時代物

• Reading: じだいもの
• Romaji: jidaimono
• Kanji breakdown: 時代 (jidai) — era, period; 物 (mono) — thing, work
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.da.i.mo.no/

Meaning

Period drama; historical play; fiction or theatre set in a historical era.

In kabuki and Japanese theatre, 時代物 specifically refers to plays set before the Edo period, contrasting with 世話物 (domestic plays set in the Edo era). By extension, the term applies to historical novels, films, and television dramas. The genre is characterised by elaborate period costumes, stylised speech, and stories drawn from historical events or legendary figures.

Examples

1. 江戸時代を舞台にした時代物の小説は、根強い人気を誇る文学ジャンルである。 Historical novels set in the Edo period are a literary genre that enjoys enduring popularity.
2. 彼は時代物を専門とする作家で、武家社会の風俗を精緻に描いている。 He is a writer specialising in period drama who depicts the customs of samurai society in meticulous detail.
3. 歌舞伎の演目には時代物と世話物の二種があり、それぞれ様式が異なる。 Kabuki repertoire includes two types — period pieces and domestic plays — each with its own distinct style.

Usage Guide

Context: theatre, historical fiction, kabuki

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 時代 (jidai, era/period) and 物 (mono, thing/work). In the Edo-period theatre world, 時代物 emerged as a category of kabuki plays drawing on historical and legendary material, contrasted with contemporary domestic dramas.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Cultural enthusiasts