Preparation

"It takes 3 years to master preparation..."

They say.

And it's no kidding.

Preparation is a fairly complex process for bamboo baskets.

It requires skills, knowledge, and most of all, time.

First, cut the timber into manageable length,

and wash the natural wax off from the surface.

Then split them into sticks

and into thinner threads

and split again

and shape them into the same width and thickness. 

Most of the people give up in this process.

I would probably have too,

if not a nice person gave me a bunch of material on the first day.

Well, the most difficult part is over.

Now we can start weaving baskets.

Material Gathering

One fine day in autumn 2015.

We went to the old Mizukami elementary school.

The school has been closed due to population outflow to the cities.

Leaving the bamboo grove growing wild behind the school.

It's a problem for the village.

But for me, it's a perfect place for material gathering.

A tree house

autumn flowers

and fire to bake sweet potatoes...

Nowadays, it's a perfect playground for the village kids.

"I went to this primary school. 

Never imagined it closed down"

a dad said.

We spent several hours helping them clearing the bush.

In my sense, I was just gathering material though. 

I got enough material to keep me busy for a while.

Let's go back to Tokyo.