Japanese screen painting

Blanca Chen

Japanese Screen Painting

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - • 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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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)

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)

HEIAN PERIOD• Byobu in the 9th century are used as

furniture in Daimyo residence (residence of territorial lords), Buddhist temples and shrines. Senzui Byobu (Landscape with Figures Screen)

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.

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

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 )


• Tsuitate • Single panel and legged screen

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• 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


• Yonkyoku • Four-panel screen• Kamakura and Muramachi Periods: used to display in halls

• Late Edo Period: used in Seppeku ceremonies and teahouse waiting rooms


• Rokkyoku• Six-panel screen

• Most popular format of byobu

• H: 1.5 m W: 3.7 m


• Jukyoku • Ten-panel screen

• Used as large backdrops in settings such as hotel lobbies and convention halls

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 )


• Furosaki • Two-panel screen

• Placed in Tea rooms during the Tea Ceremonies


• 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


• Shiro-e • The screens are painted in ink or mica on white silk surface

• Usually used in wedding ceremonies


• Ubuya Byobu • Placed in Birth-giving rooms

• Usually depicts cranes/ storks that resemble fertility


• 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


• 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

SOURCES• http://web-japan.org/museum/byobu/byobu.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By%C5%8Dbu

http://web-japan.org/museum/byobu/byobu.html

http://web-japan.org/museum/byobu/byobu.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By%C5%8Dbu

Japanese screen painting

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