World Bamboo Day is celebrated around the world each year on the 18th September. It is an initiative established in 2009 by the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO), to educate and raise awareness globally about the incredible and multiple benefits of Bamboo.
A Gold Bamboo-effect frame around this exceptional Meiji-era Oshi-e
As always with our blogs and articles, you can Click on any of the images to take a closer look at the piece.
A pair of toads stalking a Snail behind a Bamboo culm
This year World Bamboo Day has a focus on emphasising the role that Bamboo plays as an important sustainable resource with significant positive environmental, social and economic impact.
A stylish Bronze vase depicting the iconic Mt Fuji through a Bamboo Grove
In Japanese culture, Bamboo holds a deep symbolic significance that goes back many hundreds of years. Because of its ability to bend without breaking in the harshest of weather conditions, Bamboo is seen as a symbolic representation of strength, resilience and perseverance.
Bamboo effect on this exceptional Satsuma covered jar signed Ryozan
Historically, if there was an earthquake in Japan, people were told to run into a Bamboo Grove for safety as the extensive root structure of the plant would hold the earth together.
An unusual Satsuma vase from Kinkozan depicting a family of Chickens grazing in a Bamboo grove
Also a symbol of purity, flexibility and growth, Bamboo plays an important and central role in rituals such as the New Year’s Decorations (Kadomatsu).
A Tiger prowling through the undergrowth in this masterful vase from Sozan (Principal artist at the Kinkozan Company)
All these various qualities combined have established Bamboo as a key material in crafts, architecture, construction and traditional arts.
An elegant Bamboo and Wisteria Morikago (fruit basket)
Click on the video below to see a slide-show featuring some of the wonderful Bamboo-inspired pieces from our collection of Japanese Meiji-era (1868-1912) fine art and antiques.
We hope you enjoyed this article. You can discover more than 100 blogs and short stories inspired by our collection of Chinese and Japanese Fine Art and Antiques by Clicking Here.
An unusual trio of condiment pots woven together with Bamboo-effect on this Satsuma work signed Meizan