Austin Bamboo Inc - Bamboo Fences & Bamboo Huts, Japanese Fence Styles

Japanese Bamboo Fence Designs:

Rather than (or in addition to) planting a living fence of clumping bamboo plants that is prone to heavy freezes and needs maintenance in the form of thinning it by half at least once per year, a decorative privacy fence made from Japanese Bamboo fence panels is a good idea. If you live in or around Austin Texas, we have some options for you. If you more than 30 miles from the 78664 there will be travel fees.

Yotsume Gaki 四つ目垣

Four eyed/Square division fence

With charred support poles as options to reinforce the ends and midpoints for longer fences, these squared division bamboo fences use relatively few bamboo poles and don't take that much labor to assemble. This makes them one the least expensive option for sculpting your landscape and discouraging animals that are larger than the openings.

Kinkakuji Gaki 金閣寺垣

Fence style popularized by the Kinkaku (gold support) temple

Similar to the Yotsu-me fence in it's straight and open look, the Kinkaku-ji fence has splits from thicker bamboo poles mounted to the charred support post as horizontal covers to protect the vertical bamboo poles and give it a more refined look.

Yarai Gaki 遣らい垣/矢来垣

Stockade Fence

The stockade fence has diagonal poles or splits mounted on horizontal supports anchored on vertical posts which traditionally are wood that has been charred to preserve them.

Ryou An Ji Gaki 龍安寺垣

Fence style popularized by the Ryou An (dragon relaxed) temple

Basically a stockade fence made from thin bamboo splits, planed on the back and sides, and paired back to back. Thick curved splits are mounted on charred wood posts as cover pieces for a more welcoming look.

Teppo Gaki (rifle barrel security fence)Japanese style bamboo fence

Teppo Gaki 鉄砲垣 Rifle Barrel Fence

A security fence that allows you to observe people approaching or leaving.

Horizontal stringers with vertical sections attached to alternating sides with table lashing. Switching sides leaves gaps where you can observe and aim at intruders, but blocks the view of someone immediately opposite the viewer. Since this is done through table lashing, these are $65/ft for up to three horizontal supports and $35/ft for each additional horizontal support. Posts and anchoring are extra.

Take Ho Gaki 竹穂垣

Bamboo Branch Fence

Mounted on charred posts with a charred plank connecting across the bottom to minimize ground contact, and bamboo branches sandwiched by splits, the bamboo branch fence is rather labor intensive, but it does an excellent job of blocking the view and absorbing sound. The normal variety, with 6' branches in the back and 1.5' and 3' branches filling the front, is about $46.99/linear foot for a 6 foot tall fence, plus the costs of posts and concrete and $8/ft for up to 6 rows + top stained cover plates to keep rain out. The simplified version, with 6' branches filling the front and back, tends to be more open towards the top and bottom, but at $29.10 / linear foot, it's a bit cheaper.

Shimizu Gaki 清水垣

Clear Water Fence

The Shimizu 清水 (clear water) fence is named after the region of Japan in which it developed. Horizontal support poles are traditionally supported on the sides and back by charred posts. Vertical poles are lashed to those and the lashings are covered with splits at least on the front with an umbrella piece at the top to keep rain out.

For the simplified version, vertical poles are sandwiched between front and back horizontal poles which are mounted to charred or stained wooden posts, or an existing fence/post structure. Posts and anchoring are extra. The pricing for up to three horizontals is $1.08/Ft2 for untreated bamboo, $2.16/Ft2 for lightly heat treated bamboo, and $3.88/Ft2 for stained bamboo. Additional horizontals can be added for $1.08/linear foot

For the secured version, the vertical poles are lashed to horizontal poles, to prevent slipping/moving. This adds $65/linear foot for up to 3 horizontals, and $35/foot for each additional horizontal.

Stained or unstained cover-plates can be added to protect the tied connections and keep rain out for $1.50 or $0.50 per foot per cover-plate. Treated wood supports can be added to keep the poles off the ground for $15/8 foot section.Alternately brick can be used to keep the poles off the ground. Price varies based on the market, but around $2/foot is a good estimate.

Tokusa Gaki 木賊垣

Dutch Reed/Rush Fence

Developed in Dutch colonies in Japan, most likely as busywork to keep idle hands out of trouble, these have visible intricate lashing or more subtle but no less intricate pegs (or wide headed/washered screws, these became popular among nobles and aristocrats to show off their wealth.

The lashed versions will run $65/foot for up to 3 horizontal supports. Those with custom fit pegs glued in will run $15/foot with 3 supports. Those with appropriate sized screws (broad heads or bonded washers in predrilled holes to minimize splitting) will run $35/foot for those three supports. Tight lashes on old bamboo will be the sturdiest option that can take the most abuse at $65/linear foot for up to 3 horizontals, and $35/foot for each additional horizontal.

Dutch Reed Bamboo Fence example

Misu Gaki 御簾垣

Attendants Blind Fence

Intended to resemble the roll up blinds some nobles used to protect their identities from new contractors and prevent assassinations, these sacrifice the convenience of a drawstring for the stability of a more permanent structure.

Pricing is the same as a similar Shimizu Gaki.