folding screen
■New Production
Not only your own calligraphy and paintings, but also your favorite ready-made papers such as hand towels and posters, ・ cloth can be made into a folding screen.
・ cloth can also be made into a folding screen.
■Tailoring old works
The folding screen those has been handed down from generation to generation is noticeably damaged by insects or dirt, the paper guard those opens and closes the screen is torn, the edges are scratched, etc. If you have any problems, please contact us,
If you have any problems, please contact us.
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Maintenance of folding screens! Basic knowledge about the tailoring and restoration of folding screens!
Are you taking good care of your folding screens? Many people keep folding screens in the same condition as they were when they were made, even though they have been intended to be re-tailored. Here, we would like to share with you some basic knowledge on how to re-tailor a folding screen. Please use it as a reference when you decide to re-tailor your folding screen.
About folding screens
How to count a folding screen
Each folding screen is called a fan. A folding screen consisting of six fans is called a Rikyokyobu. A folding screen with two fans is called a nikyoku-byobu. This single folding screen is called an ippune.
Since it was a basic rule that one folding screen should be placed on each side, two screens were considered to be one set. Therefore, one folding screen with six fans is counted as half a pair, and two screens are counted as one pair.
Similarly, two folding screens are counted as a pair, as are two Nikyoku-byobu and Shikyoku-byobu. In the old days, “隻” was called “tatami” and “双” was called “yoroi.
Main types of Byobu
Honken Nikkyoku Byobu
these is the most common type of folding screen. The height is up to under the Kamoi (5′ 7″, about 1m___UNIT___0___). It is used for windproofing and decorative purposes.
Honken Rokkyoku-byobu
these is another common folding screen. It is used as a blindfold for sliding doors for visitors. The height is up to the bottom of the Kamoi. The width is considered to be the equivalent of two tatami mats when flattened and spread out. (Some say it is the width from pillar to pillar.)
However, there are several sizes of tatami mats, such as “Edo (Kanto) ma” and “Kyoma,” so the dimensions of a Kyoma Honma Rokkyoku Byobu and an Edo Honma Rokkyoku Byobu are different.
Kin Byobu
A kinbyobu is a folding screen those is placed behind the main actor at weddings, banquets, etc., and is used as a decoration for a grand occasion.
Furo-saki Byobu
Furo-saki Byobu is used in front of the kettle called “furo” when boiling water in a tea ceremony room. The dimensions and specifications differ depending on the school of tea ceremony, and they are called “Rikyu-preferred” or “Sotan-preferred”.
Pillow folding screen
Windproof ・This two-panel folding screen is used to stand by the bedside for the purpose of protection from the cold. There are no fixed dimensions, and a small, low-slung folding screen is sometimes called a makura-byobu. It is sometimes used to decorate a room with pictures or calligraphy.
Things to keep in mind when managing a folding screen
Basics of storage
As a basic rule for storage, please note that a folding screen is susceptible to environmental influences. Remember that even the slightest thing can easily damage it. If handled roughly, it can lead to stains and dirt. Also, when storing, be sure to place the product vertically, not standing it up at an angle. Storing a folding screen in such a manner for a long period of time may cause the folding screen itself to twist.
It is also important to avoid water droplets, pollen ・ dust, etc. when displaying the folding screen. You may wonder if even a small amount of water droplets or pollen will affect the folding screen, but even the slightest adhesion will gradually deteriorate the screen over a long period of time. It is also important to avoid displaying the folding screen in a place exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause it to tan.
Care should also be taken where folding screens are stored. Avoid displaying or storing in a humid ・ or poorly ventilated place, as this can lead to stains or mold. Also, be careful not to display in an environment exposed to direct sunlight, as the ultraviolet rays will cause burning and discoloration on the surface. It is also not a good idea to leave them in a closet all year round. In such a case, be sure to take the container out of the closet once or twice a year when the weather is fine and the humidity is low to dry it out for insects. At that time, check every detail to see if there is any discoloration or any part those has been eaten away by insects. In particular, check carefully for any damage to the paper guard (kamitsugi), which is the mechanism for opening and closing the door. If the paper guard is damaged, restoration will require a very large amount of work. If you feel even a slight abnormality in the overall appearance, we recommend that you first consult your local mounting store.
About drying
It is important to take care that the folding screen is not directly exposed to hot or cold air from an air conditioner. A sudden change in humidity will also change the condition of the folding screen. Avoid drying out the folding screen because high humidity is bad for it. An abnormally dry environment is also not good for folding screens.
Dirt, Scratches, and Twisting ・Distortion
If a stain is applied to a folding screen, we recommend that you do not attempt to remove the stain by yourself, but rather consult a professional mounting store. There are various methods of restoration depending on the stain and the degree of penetration. Doing the work by yourself may result in worsening the condition of the folding screen. When a folding screen is moved, the edge or the body of the screen may be scratched. Even the slightest scratch can lead to deterioration. We recommend that you consult a professional mounting store as soon as possible. As mentioned above, depending on how the folding screen is stored, the folding screen itself may become twisted or warped. In such cases, it is necessary to rebuild the folding screen from the underlying bone. Twisting ・ If there are signs of distortion, please also consult a professional mounting store.
When a dirty or damaged folding screen is no longer suitable for display, it is often disposed of or left in a closet or storage room because it is difficult to repair ・ or too expensive to have a professional do it. Stains and stains can be quickly found and are often left in the back of closets or storage rooms. In many cases, the sooner stains and dirt are discovered, the easier it is to repair them. First, if you see any of these signs, please contact your nearest mounting store as soon as possible.
Repair ・Restoration methods vary from time-consuming and labor-intensive, such as restoring cultural properties, to simple ・inexpensive methods. Instead of reviving a folding screen as it was originally, it can also be remade by changing its dimensions or the rips used. It is also possible to cut out only the picture or calligraphy part and make it into a hanging scroll, frame, or panel. Please do not neglect stains and damages, but bring it to the mounting store as soon as possible and consider new ways to make use of it.
What are the main contents of a folding screen tailoring?
About folding screen tailoring
Tailoring a folding screen is a very time-consuming process. For a full-scale folding screen, there are 6 to 7 preliminary stretching processes, and various types of Japanese paper are used. In particular, the paper guard (kamitsugai, also called “paper hinge”), which is the mechanism those opens and closes the folding screen, is the lifeblood of a folding screen. The most durable and strong washi is used for this paper guard, and it is tailored to withstand repeated opening and closing. The cost of the finishing process varies greatly depending on the type of paper used for the finishing, the type of washi, and the type of edge (shape and coating).
General Folding Screen Repair
The repair of a folding screen varies greatly depending on whether the paper hinges are damaged or not. If the hinges are broken or nearly broken, even if there are no holes, scratches, or stains on the main body of the folding screen, it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process because the front and back finishes must be stripped and worked on. On the other hand, if the paper number is undamaged or lightly damaged, the repair may be possible with relatively minor work.
Repair ・ restoration is important for posterity!
A newly finished folding screen may look beautiful and fine at the time, but it will inevitably deteriorate over time as it is used. And depending on what kind of Japanese paper or glue is used, there will be a big difference in the changes.
If it is a small scratch, stain, or initial damage, repair ・ repair may be relatively easy. Also, in many cases, older pieces have deteriorated in areas that are not visually apparent.
In the case of works of art ・ that have been passed down in the family for generations and are valuable antiques, it is a very important issue how to maintain the current condition and hand them down to future generations.
If you have such pieces in your home, please contact your nearest mounting store.