Osaka Ranma (大阪欄間) are ranma (transom panels) made in Osaka Prefecture. A ranma is a fitting installed above the lintel (kamoi) of a Japanese-style room that decorates the room while letting light and air pass through. They are said to date back to the early 17th century, and the techniques from which they derive can be seen at Hijiri Shrine in Izumi City and Shitennoji Temple in Osaka City. In the mid-Edo period, ranma were also adopted in ordinary homes, especially merchant houses. A defining feature is their wide variety, including picture-like 'carved ranma' that make use of the grain of Yakusugi cedar, and 'openwork (sukashibori) ranma' in which patterns are cut out of paulownia boards. Other types made include 'osa ranma,' with rows of thin bars, and 'kumiko ranma,' with geometric lattice patterns. Because they divide two adjoining Japanese-style rooms, they are made to be viewed from both front and back. In 1975 (Showa 50), Osaka Ranma was designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Origin
Osaka Prefecture explains that the origins of Osaka Ranma's traditional techniques can be seen at Hijiri Shrine (Izumi City) and Shitennoji Temple (Osaka City), among other buildings constructed in the early 17th century. Ranma were originally used to decorate the buildings of a limited group, such as aristocrats, temples and shrines. Shitennoji was destroyed by fire during the Ishiyama War and rebuilt in the time of Toyotomi Hideyori. 'Osaka Ranma Carving,' in which ranma are decorated with carvings, is also said to have originated in the early 17th century.
History
By the mid-Edo period, ranma had spread to ordinary homes, especially merchant houses. They were installed above the lintels of living rooms and guest rooms, both as practical fittings for light and ventilation and as decorations showing the dignity of the household. Because many homes had ranma, Osaka also had many craftspeople, and the craft flourished as a traditional industry. Osaka Ranma was designated a national traditional craft in 1975, and in 1985 'Osaka Ranma Carving' was designated an Osaka Prefecture-designated Traditional Craft.
Features
Osaka Ranma come in a wide variety of types, including carved ranma, openwork ranma, osa ranma, kumiko ranma, 節抜 ranma and shoin ranma. Inami in Toyama Prefecture is also known as a ranma production area, where carved ranma are said to be the mainstay. Because Osaka Ranma are installed between two adjoining Japanese-style rooms, both sides are finished as the 'front.' Sometimes different designs are carved on the front and back, which demands a high level of skill.
Techniques
Carved ranma
Making use of the figure of the grain (mokume) in Yakusugi cedar over 1,000 years old and other woods, flowers, birds and landscapes are carved in three dimensions. Carvers choose among techniques such as nami-bori, which distinguishes overlapping elements, 上彫り, which is carved deeply to create a sense of depth, and kago-bori, which makes the carving appear to overlap in three or four layers.
Openwork ranma
Patterns are cut out of thin paulownia or cedar boards with a fine saw to create openwork. Under the standards for national traditional crafts, the cut edges of the openwork pattern must be carved at a right angle to the board. When carving flowers, birds, mountains and water, tools such as the 'むく打ち操り小刀' knife are used to cut out even the finest tips of the underdrawing.
Osa ranma and kumiko ranma
Osa ranma have thin bars lined up vertically like the reed (osa) of a loom, giving a delicate impression. Kumiko ranma express geometric patterns by assembling thin pieces of wood. For both, specific techniques are prescribed for calculating the dimensions of the materials and for assembling them.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Sawing and drying
Logs are sawn into boards, which are stood upright and dried in the shade in a place that is free of moisture and sheltered from the wind. Drying takes more than three months, and depending on the type of wood it can take two to three years.
- 2
Cutting stock and drawing the design
Each set is marked with ink and cut to size, and the boards are planed to a thickness of 11 mm or more. Without using paper patterns, the craftsperson draws the design directly on the board with a brush and sumi ink while reading the grain.
- 3
Sawing, cutting out and carving
Unneeded parts are cut out through the board with a fine saw, and the rough cut edges are smoothed. Next, flat carving brings out the grain, and three-dimensional carving creates a sense of depth.
- 4
Polishing and framing
The grain is polished out with an uzukuri (brushing tool that raises the grain) and ibota wax. A frame is assembled, and the finished carved panel is fitted into it to complete the ranma.
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Artisans & Workshops
木下らんま店
A ranma shop founded in 1969 (Showa 44) in 鳥飼野々, Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture. Certified traditional craftspeople (Dento Kogeishi) 木下文男 and 木下朋美 make ranma from start to finish, from choosing materials to design and finishing. The shop also makes and restores carvings for shrines and temples and makes carved wooden signboards, and it houses the secretariat of the 大阪欄間工芸協同組合.
Official site →How to Buy
- 大阪欄間工芸協同組合 (Osaka Ranma craft cooperative)
- A cooperative that takes joint orders for Osaka Ranma, located inside 木下らんま店 in 鳥飼野々, Settsu City. According to Osaka Prefecture, openwork ranma start at about 250,000 yen for a set of two panels, and carved ranma at about 370,000 yen. Shoin ranma start at about 70,000 yen per panel and framed wall pieces at about 10,000 yen, with delivery taking 20 days or more.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
木下らんま店 大阪欄間彫刻体験
大阪府摂津市鳥飼野々1-27-24
Under the guidance of a certified traditional craftsperson, participants carve cedar or cypress boards to make coasters or mini ranma. The fee ranges from about 3,500 to 11,000 yen depending on the activity, and amounts differ by publication. Participants must be in the fourth grade of elementary school or older, and advance reservations by phone are required.
View details →FAQ
Q. What role does a ranma play?
A. Installed between rooms or in the space above the lintel, a ranma lets in light and allows air to pass through. At the same time, it is an interior decoration that expresses the dignity of the household. Osaka Ranma are characterized by combining this practicality with decorative beauty.
Q. How long does it take to make one ranma?
A. An article by Dento Kogei Aoyama Square explains that a simple piece takes about three days, while an elaborate one takes from six months to a year. Carved ranma in particular take a great deal of work because both the front and back are carved, but this gives them a correspondingly splendid and dignified character.