The term "shoheiga" includes pictorial decoration applied either to partitions (shoheki) or to screens (byobu). The term "partition decoration" (shohekiga) denotes paintings on tsuitate (single-leaf screens), fusuma (sliding door or wall panels), ceiling panels, and cryptomeria doors as well as paintings on paper applied to walls, though it does not include paintings applied directly to wall surfaces. Pictorial art of this type has played an important role in the history of Japanese architecture and indoor decoration. Judging from scenes included on certain early handscrolls, interior decorations had, since early times, depicted such outdoor scenes as flowers and trees, and may be said to have been rooted in the emotions which the Japanese have directed toward the natural world.
After the beginning of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century), the construction of castles and residential compounds was undertaken on a large scale. In order to emphasize their authority, those who had reached high seats of power hired the best-known painters of the time to decorate the interiors of these buildings in a gorgeous, stately style unlike anything that had been seen before. This mood even affected temple architecture, so that while most of the castles have disappeared, numerous temples in Kyoto and elsewhere preserve examples of great works of partition and screen decoration that are representative of the period. Painted screens became popularized among the ordinary people, and served as both practical items for daily use and objects of artistic appreciation.
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