Folding screens originated in China and were introduced to Japan in the 8th century. They are known as byobu in Japanese. Byobu evolved over time, with styles and materials changing between periods. The most common formats are six-panel byobu from the Nara and Heian periods onward. Byobu serve various purposes like separating spaces, displaying art, and providing privacy in homes and ceremonies.

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

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

22. SOURCES
• http://web-japan.org/museum/byobu/byobu.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By%C5%8Dbu