Japan Adventure

Now, my other major purchase were two matching Japanese ramma -- a transom, originally fitted into a rectangular space located between a sliding door (fusuma) and the ceiling of a Japanese room. Made of wood, ramma were carved or painted with various designs and themes, and functionally, provided a room with light and air circulation. Akai (the "Van Man") from whom I also bought the folding screen, told me they were all Japanese and "very old." Most Japanese we've met seem to prefer "new" and tend to get rid of "old" things. A LOT of Americans here on base own at least one ramma. I've been looking for just the right one(s) for about 4 years now. As soon as I saw this pattern for sale in his booth, it just spoke to me. I was in love! Here they are hanging in our LR above the sliding glass doors.

A little closer view of one panel.


I believe it's a camellia -- State Flower of Alabama! (Japanese: 椿 Tsubaki)

Akai called this section a "temple dog" -- we see lots of them in Japan, frequently as stone statues near a Buddhist temple.

After bringing them home, I realized they went well with the design in our "big boy" cabinet we purchased in Arizona about 10 years ago, which was hand-carved in Mexico.

Of course, I bought some other stuff -- Christmas presents for folks at home, so I can't show them -- sorry!