Function

• This image would be appropriate for a screen kept in a woman's room.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  The great appeal of these screens was their portability. They were basically mobile walls, separating areas to provide privacy to people sleeping, changing clothes or having a small celebration. It was even possible to take them outside for a private tea. The subject matter of the paintings depended on where the screen would be kept, whether it be a warlord's quarters or a citizen's home.
  
  

Decoration

• Screens were often painted with images that told a story. The placement of the screens often depended on the narrative being told. For example, a screen depicting a landscape across its panels would be arranged flat, so that the picture flowed to correctly tell its story. Nature was a popular inspiration for paintings on these screens, which often showed trees, bamboo, birds and flowers.
  
  

Kano School

• Many of the screens produced during the 16th century were painted by the Kano School, a family of painters, who passed the art from generation to generation and were employed by the military leaders in Japan. They were among the first professional Japanese masters of Chinese-style ink paintings, thanks to the patronage of Japanese shoguns. Before the 15th century, it was primarily monks who studied Chinese culture and painted in the Chinese style. Many professional artists in Japan studied with the Kano School before developing their own styles.
  
  

Modern Screens

• Save money by making a screen of your own.Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
  
  While the intricate art of the 16th century may belong in a museum, it is still possible to bring screens home. Modern screens are made from various materials, including painted silks and carved wood. Not only can you find these pieces at many department and furniture stores, but with a little know-how, you can make your own screen with wood and muslin.