A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture
Ranma (欄間) is a decorative transom that is built between the lintel of an interior partition (such as shoji screen doors) and the ceiling. There are many different styles of ranma one can see in traditional Japanese architecture. They are often decorative, and they would provide light and ventilation within the interior space.
Here in Ninan-ji’s Goten (仁和寺宸殿), a building that were used as a residence for the head priest, a special type of ranma, take-no-fushi ranma (竹の節欄間), were used in some of the rooms. Although “take” is the Japanese word for bamboo, in general this type of ranma take the shape of a balustrades. However, on the posts of these ranma there are bamboo shaped knots, hence the name of take-no-fushi ranma.
Even though Suikoushya International Craft School is now up and running in France, our Kyoto workshop will still continue to operate and we want to welcome you when you’re in Kyoto!
Here in Kyoto you can explore the many different wooden architectural treasures of Japan!
