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Sudare are traditional Japanese window screen or window blind, made of horizontal slats of decorative wood, bamboo, or other natural material, woven together with simple string, colored yarn, or other decorative material to make nearly solid blinds can be either rolled or folded up out of the way. They are also sometimes called misu, particularly if they have a green fabric hem. , non-hanging , are made of vertical slats of Phragmites and used as screen.
are used in many Japanese homes to shield the [[verandah]] and other openings of the building from [[sunlight]], [[rain]], and [[insect]]s. 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, can be made cheaply.
Elaborate for and used high-quality bamboo, with expensive silk and gold embroidery worked in. Sometimes they featured , most often on the inside; some Chinese screens had symbols painted on the outside as well.
protect the inhabitants of the building not only from the elements, but also from the eyes of outsiders. They are featured prominently in ''The Tale of Genji''.
During the Heian 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 of etiquette and a threat against the lady's honour.
were also used in imperial audiences. Since looking directly at the 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.
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