Philosophy
Dynamic Tradition 動的伝統
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Perspective
Perspective ‘Tradition is a Challenge.’
Tradition is dynamic. It is alive and evolving.
Rather than viewing tradition as a completed form to be preserved, Tanabe Chikunsai IV redefines it as an ongoing “practice” and “challenge”—one that is continually renewed by those who carry it forward from the past into the future, and by those who live in the present. From this perspective, he advocates the concept of “Dynamic Tradition.”
Tradition is not a static legacy, but a dynamic process. It is not simply about preserving past achievements or completed forms. It is about dismantling, reconfiguring, and reweaving them. Within this continuous cycle, forms evolve, relationships are reconnected, and everything—from materials and techniques to environments, institutions, human relationships, and the transmission of knowledge—is continually questioned and reconsidered.
By connecting the “materials and techniques” of traditional craft with the ever-expanding contexts of different times and cultures—like a rhizome without a single centre—Chikunsai transcends conventional boundaries, extending his practice into fields such as contemporary art and architecture.
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Philosophy
Philosophy Shu-Ha-Ri
At the Chikunsai Workshop, we are guided by the Chikunsai family motto, “Tradition is a Challenge,” and pursue our craft according to the philosophy of Shu-Ha-Ri.
Shu-Ha-Ri is a path of learning and growth that has been passed down through generations in Japan’s traditional culture, martial arts, and artistic disciplines.
It is not simply about mastering techniques; it is also an important philosophy that shapes how a craftsperson thinks, creates, and expresses themselves.
03
Main Types of Bamboo
Main Types of Bamboo
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Madake (Japanese Timber Bamboo)Phyllostachys bambusoides
The culms typically measure 3–15 cm in diameter and reach approximately 10–20 metres in height.
Native to Japan, madake is characterised by its strength, fine fibres, and flexibility. Its long internodes, ease of growth, and beautifully lustrous outer surface make it one of the most widely used materials for bamboo products.
In bamboo craftsmanship, the outer surface is often polished away before dyeing. -
KurochikuBlack Bamboo
A variety of Hachiku. The culms are green at first, but after June black-purple markings begin to appear near the nodes. These gradually increase until the culm becomes almost completely black after about two years. Because of its color, it is also called Shichiku, or purple bamboo. It is a relatively small bamboo, about 2 to 3 cm in diameter and 3 to 5 m tall. Deeply colored specimens grown in sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated sandy loam are preferred. Sea breezes are said to deepen the black color, and it is widely cultivated in Wakayama Prefecture.
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ToratakeTiger Bamboo
A variety of Hachiku. The culm is about 3 to 10 cm in diameter and 10 to 15 m tall. In its raw state it appears to be covered with a white powder, but when heated and wiped with cloth, beautiful tiger-like markings emerge. It grows only in limited bamboo groves in Awa, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture.
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YadakeArrow Bamboo
The culm is about 1 cm in diameter and 3 to 4 m tall. It is slender, has long internodes and low nodes, and grows hard and straight, making it suitable for arrow shafts.
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KoyadakeOld Arrow Bamboo
Old arrow bamboo refers to arrow shafts from the Edo period that were decorated with lacquer maki-e and other ornamentation. Pieces from distinguished families often feature especially elaborate designs and are valued highly as antiques and works of art.
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BenihanchikuRed-Spotted Bamboo
A bamboo native to China. At first glance it resembles patterned bamboo, but it is a distinct species whose reddish markings form beautiful concentric ripples. Legend says it grew from the tears of the two consorts Ehuang and Nüying, who mourned the death of Emperor Shun. It is highly valued in sencha culture, which is rooted in literati culture. Today it is difficult to obtain because its export from China is prohibited.
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SusudakeSoot-Colored Bamboo
Bamboo once used in the ceilings and attics of old thatched Japanese houses, where it was smoked by hearth fires for more than a century. Its surface takes on a deep soot-colored luster, often with interesting marks left by rope bindings. It is considered one of the finest bamboo materials, and as the supply decreases each year, its rarity continues to rise.
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HoubichikuHoubichiku
A form of Nemagaridake that has become soot-colored bamboo. It is especially rare among Susudake and is considered one of the most precious types. The culm is about 1 to 2 cm in diameter, relatively thick-walled, and has little hollow space between nodes. Because of its original material character and the weakening of its fibers after many years of smoking, it requires particular skill in splitting and weaving.
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TennenchikuNatural Bamboo Root
This refers to bamboo root. Bamboo roots grow through the earth while overcoming obstacles, making them a symbol of life. They are highly prized in literati-style baskets.
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GomachikuSesame Bamboo
A bamboo that has naturally withered late in its life and developed sesame-like spots on the surface through the action of a specific fungus. It is produced artificially by removing all branches and leaves, but creating high-quality material is difficult because weather, soil, and the presence of the fungus all matter. The beauty of natural Gomachiku attracts many admirers. It is designated by the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture as a “Kyoto traditional craft product” under the Kyo-meichiku name.
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KikkochikuTortoiseshell Bamboo
A mutated form of Moso bamboo. The internodes grow strongly on the side where branches emerge, while the opposite side develops less, creating alternating bulges between nodes about 2 to 3 m above the ground. Its appearance resembles a tortoise shell, which gives the bamboo its name. It is said to originate in Kyoto Prefecture and is designated by the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture as a “Kyoto traditional craft product” under the Kyo-meichiku name.
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RattanTou
Rattan is a general name for palm-family plants that grow wild mainly in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The surface is covered with thorns, and the stems climb along other trees, sometimes extending more than 100 m. The species most commonly used in Japan is called Sega, whose surface is covered with a glassy layer. In bamboo craft, this outer layer is polished away so that only the most lustrous and beautiful fiber layer is used.