Provided is a shielding device that is equipped, inside a head box, with a braking device that applies a resistance force to the movement of a cord and brakes the movement of the cord, said shielding device making it possible to reduce the height of the head box. This shielding device has a head box and a braking device disposed inside the head box, said braking device applying a resistance force to the movement of a cord and braking the movement of the cord. The braking device is provided with a resistance imparting unit that generates a resistance force against the movement of the cord. The braking device is disposed such that the axial core of the resistance imparting unit is oriented in the vertical direction within the head box.
