Vintage Japanese Four-Panel Woven Reed and Lacquered Wood Folding Screen (Byobu), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0233

Vintage Japanese Four-Panel Woven Reed and Lacquered Wood Folding Screen (Byobu), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0233

A four-panel woven reed and lacquered wood folding screen blending traditional Japanese craft with mid-century decorative sensibility.

A byobu is a traditional Japanese folding screen used to divide interior spaces, create privacy, and introduce decorative beauty into a room. This vintage example, likely crafted during the Late Showa era, captures the refined aesthetic of handcrafted Japanese interior furnishings in a format designed for everyday living. Each of the four hinged panels is built around a deep red-brown lacquered wood frame topped with an open shoji-style lattice rail featuring a gracefully curved crest -- a detail drawn directly from classical Japanese joinery. The main body of each panel is filled with tightly bound woven reed slats, divided into horizontal sections by dark wood cross-rails that lend strong graphic rhythm to the overall composition. At mid-panel, a carved natural wood accent piece bearing a stylized floral cutout motif adds an artisanal focal point, while the base of each panel features a separate panel of boldly grained natural wood -- likely kiri (paulownia) or a similar light Japanese hardwood -- inset with additional carved plant and floral motifs that speak to the craftsman's care and attention to detail.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese folding screen is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as a bedroom divider to define a dressing or reading nook, or position it behind a sofa as a striking living room accent wall. Its warm amber reed tones and deep lacquered frame pair naturally with Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, and mid-century modern decor alike. The open lattice top panels allow light to pass through while still providing a sense of enclosure, making this screen ideal for softly partitioning a home office or studio space. Compact enough to tuck alongside a console table or entryway furniture arrangement, it also makes a memorable and unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture or design enthusiasts who appreciate handcrafted Japanese pieces with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Dark red-brown lacquered wood frame; woven reed slat panels bound with cord; natural wood inset panels with cutout floral and plant motifs; metal hinge hardware
• Use: Freestanding folding room divider and decorative interior screen
• Modern Use: Bedroom privacy divider or dressing area partition; living room accent panel behind sofa or console; home office or studio space separator
• Features: Four hinged panels with bi-directional fold; open shoji-style lattice with curved crest rail at top of each panel; woven reed slat infill divided into horizontal sections by cross-rails; decorative natural wood cutout accent panels at mid-section and base rail; metal hinge hardware at all panel joints
• Dimensions: 18 1/2"W x 1"D x 53"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese interior craft -- this byobu folding screen brings warmth, texture, and timeless Japandi style to 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.