Sudare (簾/すだれ) are traditional Japanesescreens orblinds, made of horizontal slats of decorativewood,bamboo, or other natural material, woven together with simple string, coloredyarn, or other decorative material to make nearly solid blindsSudare can be either rolled or folded up out of the way. They are also sometimes calledmisu (御簾/みす), particularly if they have a green fabric hem.^[1]Yoshizu, non-hangingsudare, are made of vertical slats ofcommon reed and used as screen.

Sudare are used in many Japanese homes to shield theverandah and other openings of the building fromsunlight,rain, andinsects. They are normally put up in spring and taken down again in autumn. Their light structure allows breezes to pass through, a benefit in the hot Japanese summers. Since the building materials are easy to find,sudare can be made cheaply.

Elaboratesudare forpalaces andvillas used high-quality bamboo, with expensivesilk andgoldembroidery worked in. Sometimes they featuredpaintings, most often on the inside; some Chinese screens had symbols painted on the outside as well.

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  Outside view of the Imperial Palace fromThe Tale of Genji. From this viewpoint, it would not be possible to see through thesudare; artistic license is used.
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  Inside view of the same scene fromThe Tale of Genji

Sudare protect the inhabitants of the building not only from the elements, but also from the eyes of outsiders. They are featured prominently inThe Tale of Genji.

During theHeian period (794–1185), a court lady would conceal herself behind a screen when speaking with a man outside her immediate family. She could peep through it and see her interlocutor, but because he had to remain at a distance from it, he could not see her. Only with her permission might he step closer and only she would ever raise the screen. Any unwarranted moves on the man's part were seen as a grave breach ofetiquette and a threat against the lady'shonour.

Sudare were also used in imperial audiences. Since looking directly at theEmperor of Japan (tennō;lit. 'heavenly ruler') was forbidden, he would sit hidden behind a screen in the throne hall, with only his shoes showing. This practice fell out of use as imperial power declined.

Following theEdo period (1603–1867) and in the ensuingMeiji period (1868–1911), the production ofsudare went into decline and became a traditionalhandicraft, but they still are sold and shipped abroad by various companies. Thesesudare are typically woven on looms.^{[citation needed]}

A museum in Amano-cho,Kawachinagano,Osaka traces the history ofsudare. Tools and machines used to manufacture them, as well assudare from other countries, are on display.^[2]

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  Sudare in the street leading to Tatsumi Bridge inGion, Kyoto.
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  Sudare of various ages on a street in Kyoto. These are not cloth-bound at the edges.
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  Summerhouse made ofyoshi sudare; stems are vertical.
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  Sudare shading thekoshi (wooden lattice) of a teahouse; the sign says "Tea".
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  Sudare on a three-storymachiya at dusk. Opaqueamado shutters may soon be put up for privacy.

• Kichō
• Makisu
• Nankin Tamasudare
• Noren
• Shōji

• Media related toSudare at Wikimedia Commons
• Sudare museum(in Japanese)
• Edo Sudare(in English)
• Hirata Sudare:Long-established store in Kyoto(in Japanese)
• Interview with Sudare craftsman, Otoji Kawasaki of Kyoto(in English)

• Japanese architectural features
• Japanese home
• Japanese bamboowork
• Japanese words and phrases
• Partitions in traditional Japanese architecture

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• Articles with unsourced statements from March 2022
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