Ranma (Traditional Japanese Transoms)

General pricing and timeline for Ranma commissions

A standard Ranma, measuring approximately 6 feet in width and 1.2 feet in height, is typically priced between 3 to 4 million yen ($20,000 - $27000 USD). This cost varies based on the complexity and precision required for the design. Custom designs, such as those depicting specific scenes like Princeton scenery—deviating from traditional motifs like flowers, birds, wind, moon, or the classic pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms—can incur an additional fee of up to 1 million yen. This highlights the significance of the design phase in creating a bespoke wood carving.

Regarding the completion and delivery of a ranma project, the standard timeline is four months. However, this schedule is flexible and subject to negotiation with the customer, taking into account the coordination with other ongoing work. This approach ensures that each ranma is crafted with the utmost care and precision, aligning with the client's needs and timelines.

Case Study 1

Please click on the images for closer inspection

Project Overview:

Dimensions: 11.23 meters in width, 1.1 meters in height, 30 cm in thickness.

Design: Designed by Woodcarver Tsuchida-san.

Production Period: 10 days in August 1999 during an Inami International Woodcarving camp, held every 4 years.

Project Cost and Team Composition:

Total Cost: 15 million yen, inclusive of materials and labor.

Team: Five carvers, with a rotation mid-project for optimal quality.

Materials and Manufacturing Process:

Material: Camphor wood for durability and ease of carving.

Process: Carved in three horizontal segments, each 30 cm thick from two stacked plates. Produced in Inami for quality assurance.

Installation and Additional Costs:

Installation: Estimated 1 week to 10 days by five personnel for assembly and wall mounting.

Extra Expenses: Airfare, accommodation for the team, and local tools/equipment like cranes are not included in the initial cost.