Processing Bamboo
The following section shows you bamboo processing.
A major feature of Beppu bamboo craft is that it uses high-quality materials.
A major feature of Beppu bamboo craft is that it uses high-quality materials.
1.Harvesting
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A 3~4 year-old bamboo tree is chopped down.
2.Oil Extraction
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Excess oil is removed from bamboo by boiling it in caustic soda water for about 15 minutes.
3.Drying
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The bamboo is then sun-dried and becomes yellow in color. It is then bought by bamboo craftsmen.
4.Cutting
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The bamboo is cut into suitable lengths and then split in half along its grain.
5.Splitting
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Each piece is split again and again and again until it is a usable width.
6.Stripping
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The pieces are stripped of their soft, inner layer and split into still smaller and smaller pieces.
7.Making thin sticks
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The ultimate thickness of each piece is determined using a tool called a 'sukisen', and the width using a 'habatori'.
8.Finishing
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The corners are rounded off with a knife to finish them off.
Weaving and Finishing
The following section shows you the weaving and finishing of bamboo baskets.
A major feature of Beppu bamboo craft is that it uses high-quality materials.
A major feature of Beppu bamboo craft is that it uses high-quality materials.
9.Weaving the Bottom
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The bottom is woven with thin bamboo strips.
10.Weaving the Body
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The body wall is then woven from the bottom up.
11.Body Shape
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The basket is shaped according to the craftsman's design.
12.Weaving
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The basket is woven tightly, little by little, determining its shape.
13.Finishing the Rim
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The rim weaving is the last part of the process.
14.Dyeing
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The basket is dipped in dye.
15.Polishing
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After the basket is dry it is polished with a cloth.
16.Lacquer Finishing
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The basket is finished with natural lacquer.
Occasionally, it is finished using shuai-urushi, a concentrated lacquer with color added to it.