| While many people are familiar with Native | | | | recorded as growing 47.6 inches in one day. |
| American and African hand weaved baskets, | | | | It can also reach an astounding thirty to |
| Japanese baskets are not so well known. These | | | | sixty feet in height. The Japanese tradition |
| beautiful handcrafted baskets that are | | | | holds true with some of species of these |
| constructed of bamboo have long been Japanese | | | | plants, with one plant living over one |
| tradition. | | | | hundred and twenty years and being recorded |
| | | | as flowering only once during that period. |
| The art of Japanese basket weaving dates back | | | | |
| to the Jomon period, which dated from 10,000 | | | | Due to its vast availability, the Japanese |
| B.C.E (Before the Christian Era) to 300 | | | | have used this plant for everything from |
| B.C.E. These early baskets were used as tools | | | | musical instruments to utensils. Many |
| and were very basic in design. Later, during | | | | Japanese basket weavers prefer to use bamboo |
| the Yayoi period that extended from 300 | | | | taken from another item, such as old rafters |
| B.C.E. to A.D. 300, baskets began to have | | | | and roofs. Because of the smoke from the |
| intricate designs that showed that the people | | | | fires and stoves in these old buildings, the |
| had begun to appreciate basket weaving as an | | | | bamboo that is reused is a deep burgundy |
| art form. From the nineteenth century on, | | | | color, eliminating the necessity of dyeing |
| Japanese artisans have used traditional | | | | that is associated with the use of fresh |
| Japanese weaving methods combined with | | | | bamboo. |
| certain western techniques to weave baskets | | | | |
| that can truly be called their own. | | | | The art of basket weaving is often passed |
| | | | down through family members, although a |
| The Japanese have two names for | | | | master basket weaver may also accept novices |
| baskets-hanakago which means "flower basket" | | | | into his household. These students spend |
| and hanaire which means "flower container." | | | | years studying under the master before they |
| These people utilize these bamboo containers | | | | even touch a strand of bamboo. When they are |
| in the traditional tea ceremony as well as | | | | finally allowed to weave, they are usually |
| the art of flower arranging, which is an | | | | taught to imitate the Chinese style basket |
| integral part of the Japanese culture. | | | | first. After the novices become comfortable |
| | | | with their technique, the master will allow |
| As mentioned earlier, Japanese baskets are | | | | them to begin to work with the Japanese |
| woven mainly from bamboo, a species of grass | | | | design. Today, there are many modern basket |
| that is hollow on the inside but also | | | | weavers that teach their craft in a more |
| unbelievably strong. In Japan, this grass | | | | contemporary manner, even though these |
| serves a variety of purposes. It is used as a | | | | artists will admit that the traditional |
| building material and can also be eaten. It | | | | manner is much more educational and |
| also has a mystical quality about it. | | | | rewarding. |
| Japanese tradition states that the bamboo | | | | |
| tree will only flower once in its lifetime | | | | Japanese weavers today do not need to face |
| and that this occurrence only happens once | | | | the challenges that their Native American |
| every hundred years. | | | | counterparts do as far as seeking the |
| | | | materials that they need. Bamboo is still |
| In reality, the climate found in Japan as | | | | readily available which should ensure the |
| well as in Southeast Asia is ideal for this | | | | survival of traditional Japanese basket |
| type of grass. It is also one of the fastest | | | | weaving for many years to come. |
| growing plants in the world, one plant | | | | |