Japanese Screen Painting

By buō ( 屏風 ?, wind wall) are Japanese folding screens made from several joined panels, bearing decorative painting and calligraphy, used to separate interiors and enclose private spaces, among other uses.

Like many Japanese arts and crafts, folding screens originated in China; prototypes dating back to the Han dynasty have been found.

• Through different Japanese eras, by bu evolved in structure and design, along with the techniques ōand materials used:

• Nara Period (646-794)

• Heian Period (794-1185)

• Muromachi Period (1392-1568)

• Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600) and early Edo Period (1600-1868)

•Nara Period (646-794)The original form of by bu was a single standing, legged ōpanel. In the 8th century, multi-paneled by bu made ōtheir appearance, and were used as furnishings in the imperial court, mainly in important ceremonies.

•The original form of by bu was a single standing, ōlegged panel. In the 8th century, multi-paneled by bu ōmade their appearance, and were used as furnishings in the imperial court, mainly in important ceremonies.

Daruma, Unknown (c. 1550)

Hasegawa Tohaku, Pine Trees

Heian Period (794-1185): By the 9th century, by bu were indispensable as ōfurniture in daimyo residences, Buddhist temples, and shrines. Zenigata (銭形 ), coin-shaped metal hinges, were introduced and widely used to connect the panels instead of silk cords.

Scene of the Genpei War (17th century screen)

Landscape screen (絹本著色山水屏風 ). Year: Heian Period. 11th Century. Six-section folding screen (byōbu), color on silk, 146.4 cm × 42.7 cm (57.6 in × 16.8 in). Location: Kyoto National

Museum, Kyoto.

Muromachi Period (1392-1568): Folding screens became more popular and were found in many residences, dojos, and shops. The two-panel by bu were common, and overlapped paper hinges ōsubstituted for Zenigata, which made them lighter to carry, easier to fold, and stronger at the joints

Sekigahara Kassen By buō (『関ヶ原合戦屏風』 ), Japanese screen depicting the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い ). This layout is considered rare since it is the only one of the many Sekigahara screens which shows the battlefield from the North.

A six-fold paper screen painted in ink and colour on a gold ground with Chinese ladies and karako (Chinese children) engaged in elegant pastimes, including admiring a scroll, reading texts and practising calligraphy in the garden of a waterside villa.

Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600) and early Edo Period (1600-1868): By bu popularity grew, as ōthe people's interest in arts and crafts significantly developed during this period. By bu adorned ōsamurai residences, conveying high rank and demonstrating wealth and power.

Set of sliding doors of Plum tree by Kan Sanrakuō , early 17th century

Prune sur paravent du peintre Kan Sanrakuō (17e siècle). Couleur or sur papier 184x99.

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