Nagaokakyo, Kyoto and Takano Chikko: Where the Tradition of Bamboo Thrives

Located in the southwest of Kyoto, Japan, the city of Nagaokakyo is known for its beautiful landscapes woven from history and nature. This area is considered the birthplace of Moso bamboo in Japan, with bamboo culture taking root since the Yayoi period. Here, we explore the charms of Takano Chikko, supporting the bamboo culture alongside the tourism of Nagaokakyo.

Nagaokakyo: The Beauty of Bamboo Groves and Historical Temples in Harmony

Nagaokakyo is celebrated for its stunning bamboo grove landscapes and numerous historical temples, including Nagaoka Tenmangu. The bamboo groves around Nagaoka Tenmangu offer visitors the beauty of Japanese nature and the tranquility it brings. Secluded ancient temples like Komyoji and Shoryuji also add to the allure of this area. The landscapes of this region, immortalized in "The Pillow Book," maintain their timeless beauty, captivating those who visit.

Takano Craftsmanship: Artisans Preserving the History of Bamboo Crafts

Nagaokakyo is home to Takano Chikko Co., Ltd., which produces and sells daily necessities using traditional bamboo crafting techniques and natural materials centered around bamboo. Since its establishment by the first president, Taduo Takano, Takano Chikko has been creating a wide range of high-quality products from carefully selected local bamboo, including tea ceremony utensils and everyday items. The company employs 20 artisans, including bamboo craftsmen, lacquerers, woodworkers, and maki-e artists, who not only preserve traditional bamboo crafting techniques but also continue to innovate new products using natural materials.

Harvesting and Sustainable Bamboo Forest Management

The bamboo crafts of Takano Chikko begin with the sustainable management and procurement of bamboo materials. The company manages several bamboo forests in Nagaokakyo, supported by a handful of skilled craftsmen known as Kiriko, who possess deep knowledge and experience in bamboo and bamboo forest management. Unlike regular trees, bamboo grows like a large interconnected family underground. The selective cutting by the Kiriko, understanding the unique characteristics of bamboo, ensures the growth of strong and beautiful bamboo, which is then transformed into exquisite tea ceremony utensils and daily goods by the craftsmen of Takano Chikko.

The bamboo harvested by the Kiriko is first dried and then undergoes oil removal, a crucial step in bamboo product manufacturing to prevent discoloration and cracking. This labor-intensive process involves carefully heating the bamboo to wipe away excess oil and moisture. After oil removal, the bamboo is dried for 4-5 years, culminating in a decade-long journey from growth to product. Only then does the bamboo become durable and flexible enough for crafting.

Takano Chikko has long been making bamboo tea ceremony utensils. Today, they also produce bamboo cups, bamboo sake sets, and bamboo glasses. After oil removal and years of drying, the bamboo is cut to size and shaped, often by turning on a lathe, to achieve the perfect thinness for a comfortable user experience, showcasing the natural beauty of the bamboo fibers.

The finished bamboo cups are then handed to lacquer artisans, who enhance their durability and aesthetic appeal with carefully applied lacquer in various beautiful colors.

Thus, after a decade and the skilled hands of multiple artisans, the bamboo products are finally complete. The bamboo of Kyoto, carefully nurtured and crafted with expertise, becomes unique items like bamboo cups and sake sets, embodying the sustainable coexistence of nature and humanity, a testament to history and craftsmanship.

Tea and Bamboo Tea Utensils

In the tea ceremony culture, enjoying tea transcends the mere act of drinking, embodying the aesthetics, etiquette, and hospitality spirit based on Zen philosophy. The bamboo tea utensils and sake sets produced by Takano Chikko encapsulate the natural beauty and historical depth of Kyoto, offering a unique way to host loved ones with a piece of Kyoto's bamboo craft heritage.