Noren curtains are often seen in Japan in places of business and in homes. For businesses, they’re hung outside to indicate that they are open and they help to dress things up outside by providing a little color. Both businesses and homes use them to provide some privacy and it’s said that Noren curtains give protection from bad spirits that may be circulating about. We can all use some more protection from those guys. The only spirits I want in my house besides friendly ones, are the ones that come in bottles and have names like Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.