A is a portable multi-paneled silk partition supported by a T-pole.[1] It came into use in aristocratic households during and following the Heian period (794–1185) in Japan[2] when it became a standard piece of furniture.[3] are similar in appearance to a, but are mounted on a free-standing stand rather than a lintel beam. They are less similar to, which do not include streamers to tie them up, and are generally used in different social settings.
The curtain or veil [4] hangs via ribbons or other decorative cording from the top crosspiece which is supported by the vertical bars which are supported by the pedestal at the base . The fabric is generally in two layers: a plain silk back lining, and a fabric with a design on it facing outward. Colorful ribbons of fabric are generally hung in the center of each vertical panel on top of the outer fabric. The ribbons are held in place with a (traditionally) red decorative stitching which runs horizontally a little below the top of the .
The size of the historically depended on where it was used. The largest type, for use just inside bamboo blinds, was four tall by eight wide (about 47.72inches by 95.44inches), with the five or six tall (59.65inches to 71.58inches) and divided equally into five vertical panels.
A medium size, for use inside a room, was three tall by six shaku wide (about 35.79inches by 71.58inches), with the four or five tall (47.72inches to 59.65inches) and divided equally into four vertical panels.
The smallest type, generally only used for, was two tall by one, five wide (about 23.86inches by 17.895inches) and divided equally into three vertical panels. This last type was generally used to veil the pillow where the noble woman slept, with the being made of rosewood or red sandalwood.
The is often placed just on the inside of bamboo blinds, forming a portable double privacy barrier to the outside of the house. They are also used as portable room dividers inside the house.[5] Today, they are most often used as decorations or to hide boxes or other unsightly messes in a home.
In former times, they would often be used to hide noble women from public eyes when they visited shrines or temples, and to provide additional privacy for the women at home.[6] Smaller versions called were carried by the female attendants of a noble woman in order to hide her from public view while she traveled.
In the 1880s (late Edo period), were rare, but possibly still used in the houses of .[7]