Japanese Screen Paintings: An In-Depth Guide!

Japanese screen paintings are some of the world’s most beloved treasures. Using unique materials and techniques, they capture scenes in history, literature, and everyday life and have been painstakingly preserved for today’s art lovers.

Modern artists have even been inspired to replicate these screens, paying homage while adding contemporary touches. We’ll closely examine this artwork, its origins, and particular styles while sharing some well-known pieces. Here is our in-depth guide to Japanese screen paintings.

What are Japanese screen paintings?

As the name suggests, Japanese screen paintings are works of art found on a folding screen, called byōbu in Japan and pingfeng in China, from where it originated. Folding screens were first used to close drafts and provide privacy, especially in ladies’ dressing rooms, but they soon became popular for decorative purposes. (The transparent shoji screen would often be painted as well.) 

The screens were freestanding panels connected by leather or silk cords, later replaced by paper hinges and bamboo nails. Made of ink on paper or silk, the paintings were protected by a red or black wood lacquered frame. They captured scenes from nature, history, palace life, and literature, sometimes incorporating calligraphy. Famous byōbu artists include Kanō Sanraku, Kishi Ganku, and Maruyama Ōkyo. 

Where did these paintings originally come from?

Shoji screens came to Japan around the Nara period (710-790). Increasing from one panel to six, they were initially used in the imperial court for ceremonial purposes. However, they appeared in shrines, temples, and daimyo (feudal lord) residences during the Heian period (794-1185). By the Muromachi period (1392-1568), they’d been reduced to two portable panels and were more commonly found in shops and homes.

In 1584, a delegation from Oda Nobunaga took the Azuchi Screens to the Vatican (they have since disappeared). Over the next few centuries, screen paintings became popular in Europe. Patronage of the arts increased while painting styles evolved, with artists and schools utilizing signature techniques. While some hand-crafted screens are still being made today, most are now machine-made.

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What are some of the most popular Japanese screen paintings?

A Thousand Cranes (Kayama Matazō)

Kayama (1927-2004) was born in Kyoto and studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he later taught. He incorporated cubist and Italian futurist elements into his artwork, focusing on landscapes and animals. Kayama participated in several exhibitions, winning prizes, and was commissioned to create art for state and religious organizations.  

“A Thousand Cranes” pays tribute to Nihonga (traditional Japanese art) with the thousand-cranes motif (symbolizing hope or wishes granted) and gold leaf. However, it also incorporates cubist elements of monochrome colors and flattened space. Today, “A Thousand Cranes” on display at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.

Wind God and Thunder God (Tawaraya Sōtatsu)

Tawaraya (c. 1579-1640) co-founded the Rinpa school with frequent collaborator Hon’ami Kōetsu. He kept a shop that sold decorated fans and cards and repaired sutras and screen doors. In 1630, Tawaraya was named hokkyō (“Bridge of the Dharma,” the third highest rank for Buddhist artists). Several paintings, including this artwork, are now National Treasures of Japan.

“Wind God and Thunder God” uses various Rinpa school techniques such as gold ground and natural motifs. Tawaraya also added his personal touches, such as tarashikomi (applying a second layer of paint before the first one dries) for the clouds. The screens are at the Kennin-ji Zen Buddhist Temple and sometimes displayed at the Kyoto National Museum.

Flowering Cherry and Autumn Maples with Poem Slips (Tosa Mitsuoki)

Originally from Sakai, Tosa (1617-1691) is most commonly associated with the Tosa school and Yamato-e (traditional Japanese art from the Heian period). Settling in Kyoto in 1634, he was named edokoro azukari (court painter), a position once held by his family in 1654. His style gradually incorporated Chinese and Kanō school methods. Before his death, he contributed to “The Authoritative Summary of the Rules of Japanese Painting” on Tosa school techniques. 

“Flowering Cherry…” includes tanzaku (strips of paper containing wishes) handwritten by courtiers assisting Tosa. The paintings use bright colors, delicate linework, and attention to detail associated with the Tosa school. Kanō school techniques include calligraphy, ink wash brushwork, and gold and silver paint. The screens are kept at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Why are Japanese screen paintings important to arts and culture? 

Japanese screen paintings amazed audiences because they depict fictional and real-life scenes using detailed brushstrokes and various colors. A simple two-panel screen could be elevated by masterful artwork, which still attracts scholars and viewers today.

The pieces highlighted here also show a progression through history from more traditional Japanese techniques to modern and foreign methods. With this combination, byōbu kept the art from being stagnant while retaining its distinct Japanese qualities.  

Japanese screen paintings are also beautiful examples of the country’s art. Originally prized for their practical uses, byōbu became sought out for their artists’ skills. Overall, from natural landscapes to national symbols and mythological figures, the paintings brought Japanese culture to the Western world and inspired artists and other folks closer to home. 

Whether a well-preserved artifact or a contemporary piece paying homage to the past, few art forms showcase Nihonga at its finest and Japanese screen paintings. Have you seen any of this artwork in person? Tell us in the comments.