Frequently Asked Questions


Bamboo Collection Vol. 5 Bamboo Collection Vol. 5

Bamboo Collection Vol. 5
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Q
We can find a yellow bamboo easily, is it the kind of such a color?
A
It is not a kind.  If excess oil is removed from bamboo material, it will become the bamboo of that yellow.  They are "the crystal of a bamboo craftsman's sweat and tears..."
We remove the excess oil out of bamboo material by two kinds of methods as follows...
(1) Fire bleach
Although a charcoal fire was used a long time ago, it is the method of roasting a bamboo over the flame of a large-sized gas stove now.  With heat, the oil in bamboo material is gushed and it is carefully wiped off with cloth from the end of bamboo material.  At this time, it works carefully quickly so that a bamboo may not burn.  In order to finish beautifully, the proficient craftsman's work is required.
(2) Hot water bleach
It is the method of boiling with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).  We use the cylindrical iron pot of the length (abbreviation 4.5m) to the extent that it enters as it is.  It is the method of dipping in the caustic soda which the iron pot was made inclining (about 15 - 20 degrees), and was heated.  Concentration adjustment of caustic soda is really difficult; if concentration high too much, the color of bamboo material will become yellow too much, or, if too low, oil will not have fallen out and yellow will not come out.  In order to finish beautifully, a craftsman's sharp intuition is required.

Q
Is there any method which does not lengthen the root (subterranean stem) of a bamboo?
A
Before planting a bamboo, it is good for underground to make a frame from concrete blocks, kawaras, etc., but if it does not embed quite deeply (2 meters or more), it will be extended from the bottom of blocks, or crevices.  Bamboo groves carefully taken care of have gutters (some 1 meter wide) around them to prevent from stretching and spreading the subterranean stems.

Q
I have ever seen bent bamboos for decorative or ornamental purposes.  How do you bend bamboos like that?
A
A bamboo is bent with a light flame like a candle.  We roast without burning a portion we intend to bend and bend manually slowly.  However, there is a restriction of thickness; if the bamboo is thick and slim, it is easy to bend, and cracks or dents to occur also decreases.

Q
Is there any time or season suitable for cutting down of bamboos?
A
It is supposed that the low-temperature term (autumn - winter) is suitable.
It is not suitable for a high temperature term (spring - summer), since much moisture (nutritive substance) is contained inside bamboos, and it becomes easy to attach harmful insects after cutting down, .



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