Sudare

Rolled up screens can be seen on the top left, image from the Genji monogatari

the Sudare (jp: hiragana すだれ) is a screen or a blind, normally made out of bamboo. They are sometimes known as misu as well.

The sudare are woven-wood blinds, which were made out of slats of decorative wood, bamboo, or other natural material woven together with simple string, coloured yarn, or other decorative material to make a nearly solid blind. These could either roll or fold up out of the way.

It was used in many japanese homes to shield the verandah and other openings of the building from sunlight, rain, and insects. They were normally put up in Spring and taken down again in Autumn. Their light structures however allowed wind to breeze through, which was very practical in the hot japanese summers. Since the building-material was easy to find, the costs of a sudare could be kept affordable. Elaborate sudare used in palaces and villa used high-quality bamboo and had expensive silk and gold-embroidery integrated. Sometimes paintings featured, however most often from the inside. In China, the screen could have painted symbols also on the outside. With the dawn of modernity, the sudare production has gone into decline and become a traditional handicraft. Sudare can be ordered and shipped internationally from various companies.

Apart from its useful effects against nature, the screens had an important part to protect the inhabitants of the building from outside view as well. The screens featured prominently in The Tale of Genji (jp: Genji monogatari). During the Heian-Era, court-ladies would shield from outside view behind the screens when speaking with males outside their immediate family. When coming up close, the lady was able to see who was standing outside the screen, however the outside viewer was unable to see the other person, since he had to stand from a distance. This shielding from outsiders was deemed necessary, in order to maintain the modesty and purity of the lady. Only the lady allowed the male to step closer and only she would even raise the screen. Any unwarranted moves by the male was seen as a grave breach of etiquette.

The sudare was also used in imperial audiences. During large audiences, the tennō would sit in the throne hall, hidden behind a screen. As a "Heavenly Ruler", only his shoes would show, since seeing the emperor directly was forbidden. This practice fell out of use as imperial power declined.

Notes

There is a sudare museum in Amano-cho, Kawachinagano, Osaka. It shows the history of sudare. The tools and machines used for the production, as well as sudare from other countries, are on display.

External links

• Sudare museum (in japanese)
• Images of sudare
• Sudare company (in japanese)

jp:すだれ