KichÅ
Kicho (Japanese几 帐, "Wall Screen " ) denotes a space divider, which was first used since the Heian period in homes and residences of the nobility. The Kicho consists of two rods or bars, which are connected in the form of the letter 'T' perpendicular to each other. On the horizontal bar is a slotted fabric, usually made of fine silk (薄 绢, usuginu ) suspended. The vertical bar is in one foot (土 居, Tsuchii ), which gives the screen its stability. In contrast to the Kabeshiro Kicho is portable. The actual curtain is always longer than the frame is high, so that the material lying on the ground. The view page is to decorate with dark red or black ribbons (野 筋, nosuji ) provided.
One can distinguish large, medium and small forms of the wall the screen. The large screen has a length of six shaku (approx. 1.8 m), the average length of five shaku (about 1.5 m) and the small a length of one and a half shaku (approx. 45 cm).
In addition to its function as a portable room dividers the Kicho also serves as a screen protector and decoration. Women in particular use the screen in the temple to pray undisturbed and to escape the notice of the public. In addition, earlier were also Kicho in small format in use, so-called " Sashikichō " (差 几 帐). They were used by noble ladies, to hide her face in public.