Bamboo, as surprising as it may seem, is actually a grass. Certain types grow less than a foot, while others can grow up to a hundred feet tall.

Being aesthetically pleasing, sturdy and pliable, bamboo is a preferred plant that the Japanese people use to make fences, canes, toys, musical instruments, clothing, and much more, including decorative baskets.

The art of weaving baskets is a very popular and admirable skill, providing various functions towards a household. During the sixth century in Japan, bamboo baskets were used for alter offerings as well as in the sixteenth century where they were used in tea ceremony’s to display flowers. Presently these baskets are used to hold flowers, fruits and vegetables, towels, magazines, etc.

“Because bamboo baskets [are so] beautiful, it’s no surprise that it takes a long time to learn the craft. It can take artists up to ten years just to learn to master the art of bamboo weaving” It is a challenging craft, however, once it is mastered through hours of patience, the basket turns out to be very durable and long lasting.

These procedures are followed to create a Japanese Bamboo Basket:

1. Cut a three foot piece of bamboo into four planks by using a large knife to cut vertically down through the bamboo. Cut each plank in half using a knife. Cut the plank halves into long strips by using a knife to cut them into layers. Start cutting the strips from the back side of the bamboo first.

2. Use scissors to cut the ends of the bamboo strips so that they are all equal in length. Peel apart each bamboo strip so that you have multiple miniature strips of bamboo.

3. Cut a five foot long piece of string and thread it into a tapestry needle. Grab a small bundle of two to three pieces of bamboo and coil the loose end of your string around the end of the bamboo bundle for approximately three quarters of an inch.

4. Bend your wrapped section of bamboo into the shape of a U and bind both sides of the "U" together by wrapping it with the string six times, this will create a small loop. Wrap the string around the loose bamboo pieces and run it through the small loop. Continue wrapping the string around the bamboo and through the small loop with the tapestry needle until you make a complete circle, this should take anywhere from ten to twenty stitches.

5. Add another bundle of bamboo to your basket by adding it underneath the loose bamboo from your ring and wrap the string around the combined bundle six times. Start coiling the new section by wrapping the string around the bamboo and through the coil of the previous row, using the tapestry needle. Continue adding bamboo in this manner until you are satisfied with the size of your basket.

6. Finish off the basket by simply wrapping string around the top coil of the basket, all the way around. Cut the string and tie a knot at the end of it. Tuck the knot into the coiled string

Possible Uses for the Bamboo Basket in Present Days: