Craftsman called "Tategu-shi"

Last time, we introduced “hyogu-shi.” This time, we introduce another craftsman “tategu-shi,” a different kind of house fixtures craftsman.

 “Tategu-shi” is a craftsman who makes mobile partition “tategu,” mainly wooden doors installed inside of a house or at the house gate. Tategu-shi also produces “fusuma,” sliding wooden and paper door installed in a house, as introduced in our previous blog.

Originally, tategu was brought from ancient China as one of temple

architecture. As time went by, it became to be used as the partition of dwelling space. Tategu also has other purposes: soundproof, heat insulation and decoration.

Kihara Fusuma, Focus Japan’s parent workshop, mainly manufactures fusuma and byobu, Japanese folding screen. Fusuma is used rather for practical use in Japanese traditional houses, whereas byobu is for interior decoration.

 Here are some pictures of actual fusuma-making.

This picture shows adhering the wooden frame and paper with bond.

 This shows tightly-fixing the frame edge with nails.

As you can see, fusuma is also handmade furniture like byobu by those craftsmen.


Written by Yabuuchi