Vintage Japanese Four-Panel Folding Screen with Woven Reed Panels and Carved Swallow-and-Willow Motif, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-552

Vintage Japanese Four-Panel Folding Screen with Woven Reed Panels and Carved Swallow-and-Willow Motif, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-552

A four-panel byobu-style folding screen combining hand-woven reed panels with carved wood detailing -- a serene statement of mid-century Japanese craft.

A byobu or tsuitate is a traditional Japanese folding screen used to divide interior space, block drafts, and create a sense of intimate enclosure within a room. This four-panel example, dating to the Mid Showa period (1946-1965), showcases the restrained elegance that defined postwar Japanese interior craft. Each panel is filled with densely woven fine reed or split bamboo matting -- held in place by horizontal dark-stained wood rails -- giving the screen a warm, organic texture that evokes the natural materials of a traditional Japanese interior. The structural frame is built from stained hardwood, likely sugi (cryptomeria) or a similar straight-grained softwood, finished to a rich dark brown. Running across each panel at mid-height is an open lattice section housing a carved decorative insert depicting a swallow in flight among willow branches -- a classic motif in Japanese decorative arts symbolizing seasonal change and natural grace. The top of each panel features a gently curved crest rail and a pair of turned bamboo-style rods, adding refinement to the overall composition. Metal hinges connect the panels, allowing the screen to be folded and repositioned with ease.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese folding screen is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as a living room accent to frame a reading nook or define a lounge area, or place it behind a bed as an artful alternative to a headboard in a bedroom with a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic. It works equally well as an entryway privacy screen, a backdrop for a meditation or yoga corner, or a decorative divider in an open-plan home office. The warm reed tones and dark wood frame complement natural linen, rattan, and earthy ceramics, making it a standout piece for lovers of minimalist decor and handcrafted Japanese vintage furniture. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a prized addition to any collector's interior.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Dark-stained hardwood frame (likely sugi or similar), fine woven reed or split bamboo panel inserts, carved wood decorative insets, metal hinge fittings, turned bamboo-style rods
• Use: Room divider and interior privacy screen for traditional Japanese domestic settings
• Modern Use: Living room or bedroom accent panel; entryway privacy screen; decorative backdrop for home office or meditation space
• Features: Four hinged panels; woven reed or split bamboo infill throughout; open lattice mid-section with carved swallow-and-willow motif on each panel; gently curved crest rail at top; turned bamboo-style horizontal rods; carved nature motifs repeated along the lower rail; metal hinge hardware connecting panels
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of vintage Japanese furniture that brings the calm of a traditional interior -- and the artistry of mid-century Japanese craft -- into any modern living space.

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.