Byobu Guide: History Of Byobu (Japanese Screens)
Part I - Part II
Screen Origins
Japanese screens, known as byobu in Japanese, originated in China as far back as the Han dynasty (206 B.C. ~ 220 A.D.). Byobu literally means "wind wall", so their original purpose was most likely blocking draughts in homes. The concept first arrived in Japan in the late Nara period, around 8th Century. During the Nara period and subsequent Heian period (794-1185), byobu design progressed from a standing single-panel screen to multiple-panelled folding screens, although the hinges were still Chinese-style metal ones.
Japanese Innovation
In the Muromachi Period (1392-1568), as screens became more popular and common, the Japanese applied their own developments to the traditional Chinese design. The metal hinges were replaced with paper hinges, which allow folding in both directions, and make for a lighter, stronger design. Paper hinges are also more aesthetically pleasing, as the space between panels is vastly reduced, meaning that the painting can flow from panel to panel. At the same time, the frame construction became much lighter through use of a bamboo lattice frame and washi paper as the covering.
