Bamboo is one of the most familiar materials in satoyama and is used for all kinds of purposes, including posts, poles, gutters, baskets and walking sticks among others. There are many types of bamboo: mainly moso, hachiku and madake, and each is utilised according to its own characteristics.

Bamboos cut at certain times may have insects lay eggs in the knots, and the internal parts get eaten by the worms. Locals say it’s best to harvest in February and August, but some theories suggest avoiding the bamboo’s growth period from February to August. Locally, bamboo is mostly used for only temporary purposes like branch supports, so the cutting time doesn’t seem to be a major concern.

For processing, around 5-year-old bamboo is considered ideal, though older bamboo is sometimes obtained during maintenance of abandoned bamboo groves. Such bamboo is often covered in a particularly thick layer of wax, requiring degreasing for aesthetic and preservation purposes. Degreasing methods include the wet method, boiling in an alkaline solution to float and remove oils, and the dry method, scorching with fire to melt the wax and wiping it off while hot. At our place, bamboos are stored in a roughly scorched state to prevent insect infestation.