2. THE ORIGIN OF FOLDING SCREENS
• “Byobu” are folding screens made of several panels that are combined
and decorated with elaborate paintings or caligraphy. They are used to
separate an interior and enclosed private spaces.
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• Folding Screens were originally creating in
China during the Han Dynasty.
• They were introduced to Japan in the 8 th
century
• Japanese craftsmen were highly influenced
by Chinese patterns, but through different
eras the style and materials for screen
painting changes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. HISTORY OF JAPANESE SCREEN PAINTING
• Nara Period (646~794)
• Heian Period (794~1185)
• Muromachi Period (1392~1568)
Azuchi-Momoyama Period
(1598~1600) and Early Edo Period
(1600~1868)
4. NARA PERIOD
• Byobu’s are used as furnishing is the
imperial court and in important
ceremonies
• Byobus are at first single paneled; their
surface is made of silk brocade (which
pictures are painted on) and framed by
a wooden frame
• Multi-paneled byobu made their
appearance in later during this period –
the most popular format is the
Rokkyoku (6-panel) byobu
Torige Ryujo-no-zu Byobu (Beauties Beneath Trees)
5. HEIAN PERIOD
• Byobu in the 9 th century are used as
furniture in Daimyo residence
(residence of territorial lords), Buddhist
temples and shrines. Senzui Byobu (Landscape with Figures Screen)
6. MUROMACHI PERIOD
• Byobus are more popular and public around this era – they can to found in dojos and
shops.
• They are usually Nikyoku (2 panel) byobu because that way it is more convenient to fold
and carry.
• The themes are often monochromatic, Nature-themed, or famous landscapes in Japan.
7. AZUCHI-MOMOYAMA PERIOD AND EDO PERIOD
• Folding Screen craftsman and
paintings are increasingly popular
• They are used in Samurai
Residences to convey their rank/
wealth/ power.
• They using gold leafs to decorate
the byobus during this period.
Namban Screen by Kano Naizen
(top) right screen (bottom) left screen
8. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
1. Tsuitate (衝立)
2. Nikyoku byobu (二曲屏風) or Nimaiori byobu (二枚折屏風)
• Also known as furosaki byobu (風炉先屏風) for tea
ceremonies
3. Yonkyoku byobu (四曲屏風)
4. Rokkyoku byobu (六曲屏風) or Rokumaiori byobu (六枚折屏風)
5. Jukyoku byobu (十曲屏風)
9. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
• Tsuitate ---------------------------------
• Single panel and legged screen
10.
11. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
• Nikyoku byobu / Nimaiori byobu
• Two-panel screen
• Created in Mid-Muromachi Period
• Used in Tea Ceremonies to separate the guest from the tea maker
• H: 60 cm W: 85 cm
12. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
• Yonkyoku
• Four-panel screen
• Kamakura and Muramachi Periods: used to display in halls
• Late Edo Period: used in Seppeku ceremonies and teahouse waiting rooms
13. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
• Rokkyoku
• Six-panel screen
• Most popular format of byobu
• H: 1.5 m W: 3.7 m
14. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY NUMBERS OF PANELS
• Jukyoku
• Ten-panel screen
• Used as large backdrops in settings such as hotel lobbies and convention
halls
15. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
1. Furosaki byobu (風炉先屏風)
2. Ga no byobu (賀の屏風)
3. Shiro-e byobu (白絵屏風)
• Also known as Ubuya byobu (産所屏風) – in birth giving rooms
4. Makura byobu (枕屏風)
5. Koshi byobu (腰屏風)
16. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Furosaki
• Two-panel screen
• Placed in Tea rooms during the Tea Ceremonies
17. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Ga no byobu
• Invented during the Heian Period
• Waka poems are usually written on it
• It is also decorated with birds and flowers of the four seasons
18. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Shiro-e
• The screens are painted in ink or mica on white silk surface
• Usually used in wedding ceremonies
19. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Ubuya Byobu
• Placed in Birth-giving rooms
• Usually depicts cranes/ storks that resemble fertility
20. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Makura
• Usually 2 or 4 panels that are 50 cm in height
• Placed in bedrooms as racks for clothing or accessories
• Also used to preserve privacy
21. TYPES OF BYOBU –
CLASSIFIED BY PURPOSE AND THEMES
• Koshi
• Byobu that are slightly taller than Makura
• They are first used in the Sengoku Period
• They are placed behind the host to reassure guest there are no one hiding behind the
screen
