A PAIR OF JAPANESE GOLD LEAF SLIDING DOORS (FUSUMA)

In Japanese architecture, fusuma are vertical rectangular panels which can slide from side to side to redefine spaces within a room, or act as doors. They typically measure about 69 inches (180 cm) high by 36 inches (90 cm) wide, the same size as a tatami mat, although the height has tended to increase in recent years. They consist of a lattice-like wooden structure covered in layers of paper on both sides. Typically they have a black lacquer border and hikite (handles) in bronze. Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests or animals. Both fusuma and shoji (sheer, translucent, paper room dividers) run on wooden rails at the top (kamoi) and bottom.