A gorgeous Japanese byōbu by the 18th-century artist Ogata Kōrin helps explain what a byōbu is, its history, and its function. This video also takes a close look at Kōrin’s painting and why folding screens are an important Japanese art form.

Speaker: Dr. Cortney Chaffin Kim

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction to Japanese byōbu

0:09 What is a byōbu?

0:46 How are byōbu made and how were they used?

1:26 A byōbu by Ogata Kōrin

2:43 The global influence of byōbu

Main image: Ogata Kōrin, Landscape, early 18th century, two-panel screen, ink on gilded paper, 52 3/4 x 29 3/4 in. (134 x 75.5 cm). Seattle Asian Art Museum