The origins of OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) date back to the early 17th century, and the techniques that form the basis of this traditional method can be seen in places such as Seijinja Shrine and Shitennoji Temple in Osaka Prefecture.
Later, during the mid-Edo period, these were installed above the lintels (kamoi) in the living rooms and guest rooms of ordinary houses, mainly those belonging to merchants, serving both practical purposes such as letting in light and improving ventilation, and as interior decoration to express elegance.

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. For carved transoms, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The preliminary drawing should be drawn directly onto the board using a brush and ink.
  (2) The carving on both the front and back sides shall be done using "three-dimensional carving".
  (3) The finishing touches should be polishing with "ibotarō" or something of equivalent properties and "uzukuri".

   

  2. In the case of openwork transoms, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The end grain of the openwork pattern should be carved so that it is perpendicular to the board.
  (2) When carving a "flower, bird, and landscape pattern," the underpainting should be drawn directly onto the wood using a brush and ink, and the carving should be done using a "solid wood carving knife" and a "corner carving tool" to "draw in" the fine details of the underpainting.

   

  3. For transoms with reeds, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The division of the reed's timbers should be done by "turning the wood."
  (2) The reed shall be fitted into the "beaded edge." In this case, the fitting shall be done by "overlapping."
  (3) The "beaded edge" is to be coated with lacquer.

   

  4. For kumiko transoms, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The division of the kumiko (latticework) is done by "interlocking".
  (2) For joint cutting, use a joint cutting stand and a template.
  (3) The sparring will be in the form of a three-person sparring match.

   

  5. For transoms without sections, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) Remove the nodes. In this case, the bamboo should be smoked bamboo.
  (2) The part adjacent to the joint should be "notched".
  (3) Remove the fleshy parts of the bamboo.
  (4) The knot-removed work shall be fitted into the "beaded rim" or "trimmed rim". In this case, the fitting into the "beaded rim" shall be done by "overlapping".
  (5) The "beaded edge" and "trimmed edge" shall be coated with lacquer.

   

  6. For transoms in a shoin (study room), the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The preliminary drawing should be drawn directly onto the board using a brush and ink.
  (2) The carving shall be done using "three-dimensional carving" on one side.
  (3) The finishing touches should be polishing with "ibotarō" or something of equivalent properties and "uzukuri".

   

  7. In the case of a folding screen, the following techniques or methods shall be used:
  (1) The preliminary drawing should be drawn directly onto the board using a brush and ink.
  (2) The carving on both the front and back sides shall be done using "three-dimensional carving".
  (3) The finishing touches shall be polishing using "ibotarō" or a material of equivalent quality and "uzukuri".

   

  8. The following techniques or methods shall be used for the calculation of the amount:
  (1) The preliminary drawing should be drawn directly onto the board using a brush and ink.
  (2) The carving shall be done using "three-dimensional carving".
  (3) The finishing touches shall be polishing using "ibotarō" or a material of equivalent quality and "uzukuri".

   

  raw materials

  1. The logs shall be cedar, cypress, paulownia, or mulberry, or timber of equivalent quality.

  ２ 漆は、天然漆とすること。

• Work scene

  Work scene

  The manufacturing process for OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) is complex, and it takes a great deal of time and effort to complete them.
  A distinctive feature of OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) is that the patterns on the front and back are often different, requiring a high level of skill. This necessitates long years of training and the acquisition of various techniques.
  Now, let's introduce the production process of a typical carved transom that makes the most of the wood grain.

  Process 1: Selected wood

  The transoms are made from high-quality woods such as cedar, cypress, and paulownia, with the cedar used being Yakusugi cedar, which is over 1000 years old. We select wood with excellent color, texture, and luster.

  

  Process 2: Sawmilling

  The lumber is sawn to a thickness of 45 millimeters or less and cut into lengths of approximately 2 meters and 4 meters.

  

  工程3： 乾燥

  Dry the boards in a cool, dry place away from wind and humidity, standing them upright in the shade. Leave a gap of 3-6 centimeters between boards to prevent rot from overlapping. Drying the boards vertically allows moisture to drain naturally. However, exposure to sunlight and wind will roughen the wood surface and cause cracking. Also, if you don't use well-dried wood, it may crack during carving or other processes. Allow it to air dry for at least three months, but some types of wood may take two to three years to dry.

  

  Process 4: Tree removal

  Each piece is marked, cut to size, and then planed to a thickness of 11 millimeters or more.

  Step 5: Sketching

  The preliminary sketch is drawn directly onto the original plate using a brush and ink. There are no stencils or templates; the design is determined by observing the wood grain and considering the images for both sides. The preliminary sketch is the foundation, so great care is taken to draw it realistically.

  

  Step 6: Grinding

  Using a saw with a thin, jagged blade like a drill, cut out the material from both sides to create a pierced design.

  

  Process 7: Reeling

  We cut out the unnecessary parts of the sketch and smooth out any rough edges on the cutting surface. This involves many complex tasks that cannot be done by machine, so it requires a great deal of concentration.

  Step 8: Rough carving

  I begin carving roughly according to the design.

  

  Step 9: Carving

  The wood grain is brought out through flat carving, and then perspective and three-dimensionality are created through three-dimensional carving.
  There are three types of carving:
  ・Wave carving…The carving is done while distinguishing between overlapping lines.
  - Over-carving: Deep carving is done to create a sense of depth and perspective.
  ・Basket carving: The carving is done in a three-dimensional way to make it appear as if there are three or four layers of overlapping pieces.

  

  Step 10: Chamfering

  A divider is made at the boundary between the carved surface and the outer surface.
  To showcase the beauty of the wood grain, it is meticulously and carefully polished.

  

  Step 11: Polishing

  We carefully polish it with Uzukuri and Ibotaro.

  

  Step 12: Frame assembly

  The frame is assembled, and the carved transom is fitted in to complete the piece.

   

• Close-up

  Close-up

  A Japanese aesthetic that combines high architectural engineering with decorative elements.

  Originating in the 17th century, "OSAKA Ranma (Transoms)) have preserved the beauty of the grain and colors of natural precious woods such as Yakusugi cedar and paulownia for 300 years. They are installed above the lintels of wooden houses, serving both practical purposes such as improving lighting and ventilation, and as interior decoration to maintain a sense of elegance.

   

  The workshop is also a highly visible landmark.

  There are 22 workshops throughout Osaka Prefecture, each producing and preserving OSAKA Ranma (Transoms). We visited a transom shop that has been operating in Osaka City for many years and spoke with traditional craftsman Mr. Yoshikawa. "My workshop is this storefront facing the street. I make transoms here, feeling the changing seasons." I never imagined that such an old-fashioned transom shop would exist just a short distance from the office district. Because it is made of glass, the work in progress is clearly visible from the outside. Many passersby stop to watch. This is because Mr. Yoshikawa wanted to break away from the image of transoms as "old-fashioned, unattainable luxury items" and "create a more open world that is accessible to younger people," which is why he placed his workshop here. Every day, he extends his antennae here to grasp the needs of his customers.

  

  Carving with heartfelt dedication, stroke by stroke.

  The craftsman's eyes as he examines the materials

  Since transoms are installed in two adjoining Japanese-style rooms, both sides must be the "front." Creating a simple transom takes about three days, while more elaborate ones can take six months to a year. Carved transoms, in particular, require meticulous work, but they possess a magnificent and dignified beauty. OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) technique involves directly drawing the design in ink onto a blank board and then finishing it. There are no pre-drawn sketches; the design is changed each time based on the wood grain. Some woods have hollows inside, but the craftsman's keen eye can tell just by looking at the surface. There are various types of transoms, including carved, openwork, latticework, kumiko, and knot-removed transoms. Carved transom designs generally depict landscapes such as the Eight Views of Omi, animals like cranes on pine trees, and plants like pine, bamboo, and plum. "Each craftsman has their own specialties, and the designs are all different, each showcasing their individuality."

  

  Mastering the use of various types of carving tools

  The arch-enemy of traditional crafts

  In the past, it was construction company representatives and architects who came to order transoms. However, in recent years, orders from female interior designers have been increasing. "They not only view transoms as historical objects, but also emphasize their functionality, such as letting in light and ventilation, and propose new and stylish designs." Retro designs have also been well-received, and an increase in orders was expected, but the fire safety regulations that emphasize airtightness are currently hindering the spread of transoms. Furthermore, "When we announce a new design on the internet, the design is stolen the following week, and the exact same thing is imported from overseas." Imports from overseas are a major problem for the world of traditional crafts.

  To future transom carvers

  "Thanks to my skill, I can do anything when it comes to carving," Mr. Yoshikawa said reassuringly. He makes not only large transoms but also carved frames and carves into jewelry boxes. However, like other traditional crafts, OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) are also troubled by a lack of successors. Currently, the average age of craftsmen is 60. "My father was a transom craftsman, but I myself love making things, so I entered this world. It takes 5 to 10 years to become a full-fledged craftsman, but even after decades, continuous research and effort are always necessary in this world. I hope that future transom craftsmen will become 'artists'," he said, sharing his dreams for OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) craftsmen who will emerge in the future.

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    For the finer details, we carefully adjust the amount of force we apply.

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  The seat is recessed for comfortable seating.

  Anecdotes

  Differences between OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) and Inami transoms

  The main production areas for transoms in Japan are Osaka and Inami Town in Toyama Prefecture. In Inami, carved transoms are the main type, but OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) include carved transoms, openwork transoms, osara transoms, kumiko transoms, knotless transoms, embedded transoms, and shoin transoms. Inami transoms were originally used in castles, shrines, and temples, and because the host sat in the place of honor and guests looked up from the lower seats, the carvings have a front and back. However, because OSAKA Ranma (Transoms) became popular among ordinary people, there are many simple transoms, and the front and back are also symmetrically decorated.
  A transom window is installed in the upper part of the shoji screens next to the tokonoma (alcove). There are various styles, including those with lacquered beaded edges, carvings, and openwork designs. Shoji screens or glass panels are installed on the corridor side.

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