The Splendor of the Japanese Screen
February 6 – April 10, 2010
Tale of Genji in the four seasons
Mid-17th c.
Right panel of a 6-panel screen pair
Japanese folding screens or byōbu, occupy a special position not only as work of art but also as functional piece of furniture. These ‘wind walls,’ the literal translation for byōbu, had many different uses that are connected to their impressive size in combination with their elegant expression. Folding screens were used to divide rooms, separate interiors, and enclose private spaces. Other purposes include tea gatherings, backgrounds for concerts or dances, and enclosures for Buddhist rites.
Folding screens originated from China and came to Japan at least by the seventh century. The decorative effects that are possible with this type of medium helped to establish them as the jewels of Japanese art. Chinese folding screens were often heavy wooden structures not intended to be moved around frequently. For a Japanese folding screen, however, mobility and flexibility is crucial which is reflected in its construction. Each panel has a wood frame and a lightweight but strong core of stable wood lattice that is then covered with many layers of paper before the actual painting surface is applied. Several panels were connected by strong paper hinges that brought the panels closer together and allowed different display configurations.
Detail from Gods of Thunder, Rain, and Wind
Mano Gyōtei (1874-1934)
Early 20th cent.
6-panel screen pair
The most popular size for a folding screen is six panels with the standard height that of an average person. The sheer size of such a screen allows for an impressive painting that can reach over several, if not all, panels. Another possibility is to use the large space for several individual paintings that communicate with each other.
The Splendor of the Japanese Screen presents single screens and pairs of screens of different size dating from the 17th century to the 21st. The oldest artwork in the exhibition is an unsigned pair of screens that depicts scenes from the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), the famous novel that was written by Murasaki Shikibu (c.973–1014/1025) and is considered today as the world’s first novel by a female writer. Contemporary Japanese artists still make use of this medium and create astonishing and striking artworks which can be seen in the exhibition in a recent four-panel screen from 2006 titled The Foundation of Light (Akari no ishizue) by Kanbe Tomoyuki (b.1975).
Curated by Andreas Marks, Director & Chief Curator
"The foundation of light"
Kanbe Tomoyuki (b.1975)
2006
4-panel screen
Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12:30 – 5 pm. Closed on national holidays and during the month of August.
Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for students and active military service with valid ID. Children 12 and under free.
Weekly docent tours are held Saturdays at 1 pm and guided group tours can be arranged by calling the Center in advance at (559) 582-4915.