# maku

> Japanese cloth used for curtains and awnings

**Wikidata**: [Q9027039](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9027039)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maku

## Summary
Maku is a type of Japanese cloth used to make curtains, awnings, and projection screens. It is a broad category of woven fabric that includes several distinct variations for both functional and decorative purposes. These cloths are a common feature in Japanese culture for partitioning or decorating spaces.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Use:** Used in Japan for curtains and awnings.
- **Classification:** Categorized as a subclass of curtain, projection screen, and woven fabric.
- **Parent Class:** Serves as a parent class for more specific types, including `kōhaku maku` and `goshikimaku`.
- **Aliases:** Known by several names which often denote specific types: 鯨幕 (kujira maku), 紅白幕 (kōhaku maku), 暗幕 (anmaku), 垂れ幕 (taremaku), and 水引幕 (mizuhiki maku).
- **Image:** An associated image depicts a `kōhaku maku`, a specific type of maku.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Has dedicated Wikipedia pages in Japanese, Spanish, and Italian.
- **Digital Identifiers:** Maku is cataloged in Google's Knowledge Graph (/g/121dpl1g), NicoNicoPedia (幕), and Pixiv Encyclopedia (幕).

## FAQs
### Q: What is maku used for?
A: Maku is a versatile Japanese cloth primarily used for making curtains, awnings, and projection screens. Different variations also serve decorative purposes in various settings.

### Q: Are there different types of maku?
A: Yes, there are several types. Notable examples include `kōhaku maku`, a decorative marking, and `goshikimaku`. Other variations are known by names such as `kujira maku` and `anmaku`.

### Q: What is maku made of?
A: The source material identifies maku as a type of woven fabric or cloth, but does not specify the exact materials used in its construction.

## Why It Matters
Maku is significant as it represents a fundamental element of Japanese spatial design and visual culture, serving both practical and symbolic roles. Functionally, it acts as a simple and flexible way to create partitions, provide shade as an awning, or serve as a screen for projections. This versatility makes it a ubiquitous item in Japanese life.

Culturally, maku is more than just a piece of cloth; its different patterns and colors carry specific meanings. For example, the `kōhaku maku` (red and white) is a well-known decorative marking used in celebratory contexts. The existence of numerous named variations underscores its importance in traditional events, theater, and ceremonies. Maku demonstrates how a simple textile can be deeply integrated into a culture's aesthetic and functional practices, transforming ordinary spaces for specific purposes and occasions.

## Notable For
- **Functional Versatility:** Maku is distinguished by its use in multiple functional roles, serving as a curtain, an awning, and a projection screen.
- **Cultural Specificity:** It is a distinctly Japanese textile with a system of named variations, each with its own use or context.
- **Symbolic Subtypes:** The category includes well-known decorative types with specific visual characteristics, such as `kōhaku maku` and `goshikimaku`.
- **Broad Classification:** Maku is recognized formally as a type of curtain, woven fabric, and projection screen, highlighting its diverse applications.

## Body
### Classification and Function
Maku is a Japanese term for a type of cloth that is formally classified as a subclass of several items:
- **Curtain:** Used to divide or enclose a space.
- **Projection screen:** A white screen used for projecting images.
- **Woven fabric:** Indicating its method of construction.

Its primary functions, as described in its Wikidata entry, are for use as curtains and awnings.

### Types and Variations
Maku is a general category that encompasses many specific types of curtains or banners. The source material identifies several aliases and subclasses:
- **Aliases:** These names often refer to specific types of maku.
    - 鯨幕 (kujira maku)
    - 紅白幕 (kōhaku maku)
    - 暗幕 (anmaku)
    - 垂れ幕 (taremaku)
    - 水引幕 (mizuhiki maku)
- **Subclasses:** Maku is a parent class to more specific entities.
    - **kōhaku maku:** A decorative marking used in Japan.
    - **goshikimaku:** A five-colored curtain or banner.

### Digital Presence
The entity "maku" is recognized across several digital knowledge bases and platforms.
- **Wikipedia:** It has articles in 3 languages: Japanese (ja), Spanish (es), and Italian (it).
- **Japanese Encyclopedias:** It is documented in NicoNicoPedia (ID: 幕) and Pixiv Encyclopedia (ID: 幕).
- **Knowledge Graphs:** It has an entry in Google's Knowledge Graph with the ID `/g/121dpl1g`.