Torigoe Takezaiku is a bamboo craft passed down in the Torigoe district of Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, Iwate Prefecture. It is made from Nanbu suzutake, a slender, pliant species of dwarf bamboo that grows wild in the mountains of northern Iwate, and is woven using the awase-ami (double-weave) technique, which produces a beautiful finish whether viewed from inside or outside. Its origins are said to trace back to the Heian period, and a legend tells of the priest Jikaku Daishi, who was staying in Torigoe, receiving a revelation from Kannon and spreading the craft of bamboo weaving among the local people. Long cherished as everyday tools such as baskets and sieves, the craft has in recent years seen its number of makers and production volume decline due to the mass die-off of the suzutake bamboo used as raw material, prompting the formation of the Torigoe Takezaiku Sanchi wo Mamoru Kai (Association to Protect the Torigoe Takezaiku Production Area), which works to train successors and promote the craft and its production area.
Origin
The origins of Torigoe Takezaiku are said to trace back to the Heian period. A legend tells that the priest Jikaku Daishi (Ennin), who was staying in Torigoe, one day received a revelation from Kannon instructing him to spread the craft of bamboo weaving among the local people, and that he did so - an event considered the beginning of bamboo craft in Torigoe.
History
Since then, bamboo craft has been passed down as household handiwork in the Torigoe district of Ichinohe Town, producing tools rooted in daily life such as baskets, sieves, and koori (woven wicker trunks). In recent years, the Nanbu suzutake bamboo used as raw material has suffered repeated mass die-offs, and combined with the aging of makers, production volume has declined sharply. In response, the Torigoe Takezaiku Sanchi wo Mamoru Kai was formed to train successors and promote the production area and its products.
Features
The greatest features of Torigoe Takezaiku are its use of Nanbu suzutake, a slender, pliant dwarf bamboo that grows wild in the mountains of northern Iwate, and the awase-ami (double-weave) technique, which produces neat, beautiful weave patterns whether viewed from inside or outside. Besides being sturdy yet pliant, the pieces are prized for the amber tone they develop with use, and items such as market baskets and hand baskets remain long-loved everyday goods.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Harvesting suzutake
Nanbu suzutake, which grows wild in the mountains of northern Iwate, is harvested.
- 2
Making higo (bamboo strips)
The suzutake is split into quarters and processed into bamboo strips just a few millimeters wide - a laborious step requiring skilled technique.
- 3
Weaving
The bamboo strips are carefully woven by hand into baskets and sieves using the awase-ami technique, which looks beautiful from both inside and outside.
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Artisans & Workshops
柴田恵
A maker who carries on the suzutake bamboo craft techniques passed down in the Torigoe district, working to pass on traditional skills even as the suzutake raw material continues to die off.
How to Buy
- 「鳥越竹細工」産地を守る会
- An organization that introduces and sells Torigoe Takezaiku products such as market baskets. Due to raw-material shortages, some products currently have limited new orders.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
鳥越もみじ交遊舎
岩手県二戸郡一戸町鳥越字宮古沢21-1
In addition to displaying and selling bamboo craft items, this facility also offers hands-on workshops. Beginner level (pen stand, about 1.5 hours) costs from around 1,500 yen; intermediate level (oboke basket, 2 days) from around 5,000 yen; and advanced level (hand basket, 3 days) from around 7,500 yen. Held Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays; reservation required.
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