An enclosed venetian-blind shade for a window includes a plurality of blinds with an adjustable pitch, a transparent pane and a reveal arranged in front of the blinds that enclose one side of the blinds, and a handle assembly to move and secure the blinds in place. An aircraft window shade includes a plurality of blinds coupled to a wire loop, a drive shaft with a gear coupled to the wire loop, and a rotatable dial that interconnects with the gear such that rotation of the dial alters a pitch of the blinds. A window shade system for directing and blocking light from an aircraft window includes a plurality of blinds coupled to a pulley assembly for adjusting a pitch of the blinds, a handle assembly for raising/lowering the blinds, and a carriage assembly for securing the blinds.