Kichō
Encyclopedia
A is a portable multi-paneled silk partition
supported by a two-rod T-pole. It came into use in aristocratic households
during and following the Heian period
in Japan
when it became a standard piece of furniture. They are similar in appearance to noren
.
The kichō 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. 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 hide noble women from public eyes when they visited shrines or temples
, and to provide additional privacy for the women at home. Smaller versions called were carried by the female attendants of a noble woman in order to hide her from public view while she traveled.
Curtain
A curtain is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, or drafts, or water in the case of a shower curtain. Curtains hung over a doorway are known as portières...
supported by a two-rod T-pole. It came into use in aristocratic households
Kuge
The was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto until the rise of the Shogunate in the 12th century at which point it was eclipsed by the daimyo...
during and following the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
when it became a standard piece of furniture. They are similar in appearance to noren
Noren
Noren are traditional Japanese fabric dividers, hung between rooms, on walls, in doorways, or in windows. They usually have one or more vertical slits cut from the bottom to nearly the top of the fabric, allowing for easier passage or viewing...
.
The kichō is often placed just on the inside of bamboo blinds
Sudare
are screens or blinds. They are sometimes called as well, particularly if they have a green fabric hem. Sudare are made of horizontal slats of decorative wood, bamboo, or other natural material woven together with simple string, colored yarn, or other decorative material to make nearly solid...
, forming a portable double privacy barrier to the outside of the house. They are also used as portable room dividers inside the house. 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 hide noble women from public eyes when they visited shrines or temples
Buddhist temples in Japan
Along with Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples are the most numerous, famous, and important religious buildings in Japan.The term "Shinto shrine" is used in opposition to "Buddhist temple" to mirror in English the distinction made in Japanese between Shinto and Buddhist religious structures. In...
, and to provide additional privacy for the women at home. Smaller versions called were carried by the female attendants of a noble woman in order to hide her from public view while she traveled.