JAANUS / take-no-fushi ranma　竹の節欄間

take-no-fushi ranma　竹の節欄間

KEY WORD :　architecture / decorations

Also take-no-fushi 竹の節. Lit. bamboo joint transom. A type of transom shaped like a balustrade which became popular in the 16c. the main posts are short and wide, and are craved with with nodes that resemble bamboo joints. Their tops are peaked in a pyramidal shape housuikeI 方錘形, like a monk's cap tokingata 兜巾形, and sometimes are covered by a metal fitting called tokin kanamono 兜巾金物. Between these are boards with openwork carving *sukashibori 透彫, or slender timbers of lattice. Some have horizontal strips added, while others have only parallel, or horizontal strips that fill the entire space. Still others are filled with openwork designs or small carvings.
Take-no-fushi ranma are used above a lintel, uchiori nageshi 内法長押, or a panel *wakishouji 脇障子 in temple and shrine architecture. The most decorative type, sometimes covered with black lacquer, are used in aristocratic and chief priests' dwellings *houjou 方丈. The earliest extant example are found at Myoushinji Reiun-in Shoin 妙心寺霊雲院書院 in Kyoto, Edo period.

Ryouanji Houjou 龍安寺方丈 (Kyoto)

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*shoin-zukuri 書院造, *ranma 欄間

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