Click here for background information.
18th of May 2004.
The bamboo classes have been going really well. Mr. Tanaka is a really good
teacher and he is very generous with his time. We generally do about three or
four hours of work on the bamboo, then we have a relaxed and delicious lunch
before doing an English lesson for about an hour or so.
 |
|
Some of Mr Tanaka's work.
|
The family home contains his workshop and retail space as well. Mr. Tanaka is also training his son- who is a little younger than me, but obviously far advanced. It is a nice area to work in but there is a glass recycling centre next door and this is quite noisy. During our last class Mr. Tanaka had a microphone set up recording the noise pollution so he could take it down to the city hall and let them hear what he has to live with every day (other than Sunday) from 7am onwards.
Speaking of broken glass, I have been cutting myself on the tools quite a lot. It is especially difficult to split the bamboo because it tends to be a bit stubborn at the start. I have a nice array of specialised tools that I carry with me on the train with other suspicious looking packages. Just recently the rail companies in Tokyo have beefed up security and everybody is being reminded to inform the authorities if they see something or someone suspicious. I would not be surprised if somebody reports me to the authorities as I often return from my bamboo classes with suspicious looking heavy packages under my arms and an assortment of dangerous looking bamboo tools.
 |
|
My first bamboo weaving experience.
|
I am currently halfway through making quite an intricate basket. I have finished the weaving and now I am working on the rim. Some of the joints are quite intricate, but everything makes sense so far. I have to sit cross-legged for long periods of time and this has been a challenge for me so far. As the workshop is on a main road, people will often stare in and watch me fumbling with the bamboo.
Lots of toys can be made from bamboo and I am keen to take these
ideas to Vanuatu when I visit later on this year. I suspect the bamboo helicopters
(that actually hover) and the water pistols will be big hits.