genjibei 源氏塀

Genji 源氏 fence is a board fence with posts set at intervals and a base runner set between the foundation stones of the posts. The boards are erected horizontally (if vertically, the fence is called tate-itabei 縦板塀) with the top cut ends protected by a finishing cover board or top plate. The posts extend about one third above the height of the fencing in order to support a board roof with a ridge beam at the top. The space above the closed board fencing and below the roof, called a transom *ranma 欄間 is left open. Thin square lath strips *tasuki 襷 set diagonally forming a criss-cross pattern in each transom add a decorative focal point. Sometimes the roof is made of tiles instead of boards.