Vintage Japanese Byobu Folding Screen, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-675

Vintage Japanese Byobu Folding Screen, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-675

A handcrafted multi-panel folding screen with carved openwork lattice, tightly woven rattan and bamboo reed panels, and delicate floral base carvings -- a rare mid-century expression of Japanese interior craft.

A byobu is a traditional Japanese folding screen used to divide and define space within a room, offering both privacy and visual beauty. This vintage example, dating to the mid-Showa era (1946-1965), exemplifies the restrained elegance of postwar Japanese vintage furniture. Each panel is framed in warm-toned softwood -- likely matsu (pine) -- with a straight, fine grain clearly visible in the close-up images. The upper section of every panel features carved openwork lattice with two alternating designs: an arched pendant cutout pattern on one face and a lozenge-and-crossbar motif on the other, lending the screen a refined architectural character. The central body of each panel is filled with a densely woven rattan and thin bamboo reed infill, allowing light to filter softly through while maintaining a sense of enclosure. Lower base panels are framed and decorated with hand-carved floral motifs -- likely plum blossom or chrysanthemum -- adding a gentle naturalistic touch. Flat iron hinges connect the panels in accordion-fold fashion, and end panels feature a gently curved rolled top rail, a detail associated with higher-quality Japanese room screens of this period.

In today's home, this handcrafted Japanese room divider is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as a living room accent to zone a reading nook or meditation corner, bringing the wabi-sabi aesthetic of natural materials and quiet craftsmanship into a contemporary setting. In a bedroom, it creates a stylish dressing area or a softly lit backdrop behind a bed, perfectly suited to Japandi style interiors that blend Scandinavian minimalism with Japanese simplicity. It also works beautifully in a home office as a decorative privacy panel or textured backdrop for video calls. Fully folded, the screen stores compactly and deploys in moments -- making it a practical as well as decorative investment. A truly unique gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft or for anyone who loves statement pieces with genuine cultural provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Softwood frame, likely matsu (pine); tightly woven rattan and bamboo reed panel infill; flat iron hinges; carved decorative base panels
• Use: Folding room divider and privacy screen for Japanese interiors
• Modern Use: Living room accent and space divider; bedroom dressing screen or bed backdrop; home office privacy panel or decorative background
• Features: Multi-panel accordion-fold construction; two alternating carved openwork lattice designs in the upper sections; tightly woven rattan and bamboo reed body panels; hand-carved floral motifs on lower base panels; curved rolled top rail on end panels; flat iron hinges throughout
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese vintage furniture that brings warmth, natural texture, and timeless craftsmanship to any modern interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.