Japanese Ranma or Crane Transom

Ranma are decorative transoms designed to capture the airy, delicate beauty of the traditional Japanese landscape, evoking the same feeling captured in Japan’s most famous art form - woodblock prints. In fact, it almost seems like the carver printed the delicate grain of the wood on their surface. These are pieces conveying the elegant imagery of Japan’s outdoors. Indoors, they are as much at home on the wall as above the door.

Japanese Ranma or Crane Transom

Somewhere in the history of architecture the top of the doorway – or lintel – went from being load bearing to ornamental. Although it’s not typically mentioned in history books, it happened in just about every culture the world has known. This architectural change didn’t reflect a shift in human consciousness. It represented a shift in human ingenuity inspired by the desire to bring art and beauty into everyday life.

In Japan this shift occurred over a thousand years ago when lintels were carved to let light and air pass between interior rooms. Known as Ranma, they filled the space between the tops of sliding doors and the ceiling. Ultimately, they were found in all types of Japanese buildings. Ranma, or

transoms were practical, functional works of art displaying the versatility and skill of the artisans devoted to their creation.

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