The History of Takegaki (Bamboo Fences)

Takegaki

The Japanese term takegaki refers to bamboo fences that surround or partition houses or gardens.

They were originally conceived and came into being as a means of protecting life and property.

It is said that the creation of takegaki dates as far back as the Nara period (710-794), when the areas around aristocratic estates were enclosed by hedges and bamboo fences.

The development of tea culture (that is, the tea ceremony or sadō) through the successful efforts of Sen no Rikyū during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1596) led to the birth of sukiya architecture that is characteristic of tea-ceremony arbors, and the subsequent spread of the style of gardening associated with sukiya architecture has led to the further development and popularity oftakegaki today.

Takegaki is a fence (kakine) constructed with bamboo (take), and as many as twenty different styles of takegaki are still in regular use in contemporary Japanese gardening.

About"nagaokameichiku"

nagaokameichiku

Based in Kyoto, Nagaokameichiku is an artisan studio specializing in bamboo products, and particularly in the construction of bamboo fences, long recognized as integral components of the traditional Japanese townscape. Our creations are fashioned individually and by hand, espousing the cultural “wabi-sabi” aesthetic ever out of reach for factory-produced goods.

"Wabi-sabi" refers to inner beauty that reveals itself as time goes by.

This aesthetic sense applies to bamboo fences as well, which develop beauty and different appearances with the passage of time.

Nagaokameichiku makes bamboo fences that are refreshingly beautiful, with appearances that soothe the spirit and only gain further depth as time passes.

Our recent activities extend internationally, with demonstrations, lectures, exhibits, workshops, and networking events pertaining to bamboo craftsmanship held in countries such as the US and Italy. We also welcome craftsmen from abroad, for opportunities to study the art of bamboo fence making with us in Kyoto.

nagaokameichiku

Our Future

Nagaokameichiku craftsmanship is found among the grounds of Japan’s most noted cultural treasures, including Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū), the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), and Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyōto Gosho). In recent years, our work has been featured across both domestic and international media. Bamboo enjoys renewed attention as a material that can help realize a sustainable, environmentally-friendly society. Using such materials, we are proud to offer our services to clientele not only within Japan but across the globe, fashioning one-of-a-kind bamboo creations that bring joy to the lives they touch.

Our Values

Only the Best Materials
The natural properties of bamboo vary dramatically by location of cultivation and time of harvest. Our years of experience in making bamboo fences and other bamboo products enable us to choose the best stalks at the best times for each particular application.
Traditional Techniques for Creating Authentic Products
Work with bamboo requires a wide range of techniques honed over years of practice. Every step, from cutting and splitting to bending and weaving,must be carefully performed to ensure the best possible result. With craftsmen among the most highly skilled and certified in all Japan, our studio delivers a level of quality that far outstrips the competition.
Feelings of understanding your thoughts
At Nagaokameichiku, we believe passion begets satisfaction. A custom-ordered bamboo fence can only live up to expectations with certainty when the craftsman behind it has his customer in mind every step of the way. We insist that our care be apparent in every detail of our work, as nothing is more important to us than delivering products that truly delight our customers.

Bamboo Fencing Products

  • Ken'nin-ji-gakiKen'nin-ji-gaki:
    建仁寺垣
    The most representative example of takegaki fencing. So named for being used at Ken'nin-ji Temple in Kyoto. Used as fencing not only for its attractive appearance, but also for privacy, it is widely used as a garden partition and the like.
  • Ryōan-ji-gakiRyōan-ji-gaki:
    竜安寺垣
    A low type of takegaki used as an ornamental partition for garden boundaries. The fencing used at Ryōan-ji Temple in Kyoto is regarded as its prototype. This type of takegaki fencing blends with your garden by allowing clear views of your garden vista.
  • Take’eda hogakiTake’eda hogaki:
    竹枝穂垣

    Location:Anderson Japanese Gardens

    A delicate type of takegaki with vertically arranged bamboo branches (takeeda). The use of long branches (ho) of moso bamboo produces a sense of luxury. Visiting guests will be unable to hide their astonishment upon seeing your beloved garden reborn. Available in a rich variety of styles including kata’eda-otoshi (shoulder-branch trimmed) and fushi-zoroe (node-aligned). In the case of fushi-zoroe, the painstaking attention to detail used in weaving each and every small branch produces a sense of luxury.
  • Take’eda rikyū-gakiTake’eda rikyū-gaki:
    竹枝離宮垣
    The name derives from the takegaki found at the Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū) in Kyoto. The horizontal arrangement of the bamboo branches creates an atmosphere that conveys its own distinctive sense of beauty.
  • KomayoseKomayose:
    駒寄せ
    This type of fencing (literally “horse-tethering fencing”) was once used to protect buildings and walls from rain and small animal waste. In their contemporary decorative usage, they form an integral part of the Kyoto cityscape. They are manufactured with great care due to the way they harmonize with buildings and the urban cityscape. Let us bring this product with its superior design to you.
  • Kōetsu-ji-gakiKōetsu-ji-gaki:
    光悦寺垣

    Location:Anderson Japanese Gardens

    This type of fence is so named for the fencing at Kōetsu -ji Temple in Kyoto, which is regarded as its prototype. This type of fencing features an open diamond-shaped lattice within a frame bent into a half-moon curve. The beautiful arc of the Kōetsu-ji-gaki fence conveys simultaneously a sense of presence and flexibility, while imparting a dynamic element to your garden. The technique used to create the curve is the hallmark a master craftsman and his exceptional skills. You can also use these fences to accent your garden or the entrance to your home.

Responsible Consumption and Production"~ to achieve sustainable society ~

“Responsible Consumption and Production” - this is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have recently heard about environmental problems related to bamboo, material of our products. One of them is abandoned bamboo forest, partly caused by reduced demand of bamboo products.

Bamboo products have been familiar to our daily life since ancient times, but their place has been taken over by plastic products. Reduced demand means reduced number of people taking care of the material. Thus bamboo, which is supposed to be appropriately cut and controlled, started to be abandoned.

Today there are many environmental problems in the world. People started to notice the need to take actions to attain sustainable society. Our actions as a producer is the followings:

Local production for local consumption

We use material close to our factory and reduce carbon footprint of transportation.

Conservation of bamboo forests

We maintain environment of bamboo forests to have sound circulation of material

Reduce trash by using many parts

We use as many parts of material as possible to reduce trash

Develop products for revitalization of forests

We have developed a bamboo pile to install a net for deer prevention so that young trees can grow in revitalized forest.Bamboo piles eventually return to the soil.


We also hold workshops so that people can work with bamboo and learn the situation and problems the material we consume are facing. We hope that people will have mind to consume more responsibly for the environment.

We keep trying to be more environmentally friendly through looking back conventional ways and taking specific actions.

Contact Us
NAGAOKAMEICHIKU Co., Ltd.
19 Kaidou,Enmyoji
Oyamazaki-cho,Otokuni-gun
Kyoto, 618-0091,JAPAN.
info@nagaokameichiku.com
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