Enriching the Land and Hearts Through Bamboo Art // Taku-san [Chicktack Bamboo Craft Works]

We first discovered Taku-san's breathtaking bamboo artistry through a serendipitous encounter during Wakako’s trip to Yakushima. Hidden within the island's lush mountains, Taku-san can be found among the forest landscape, carefully foraging and harvesting bamboo with deep respect for the land that so generously gives back to his art. His journey to becoming a bamboo artisan was anything but expected, and we hope you enjoy discovering Taku-san's story, the philosophy that inspires his craft, and the beautiful intentions woven into every creation.

BK: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us all the way from Yakushima Island. Could you begin by sharing a little about your background and the path that eventually led you to where you are today?

Taku-san: My curiosity towards bamboo crafts started about twenty years ago. Later in 2015, I enrolled in the Bamboo Crafts Training Center in Oita Prefecture to learn about basic skills and professionalism in bamboo crafts for two years. I became independent in 2017, and in 2019, I moved to Yakushima, driven by a desire to raise my children amidst the great outdoors, where I have lived ever since.

BK: We read in Wakako’s story that you were once a professional BMX rider. Wow! It’s such a different world from the quiet, meditative work you create today as a bamboo artist. What became the turning point or catalyst that inspired this transition?

Taku-san: I had always enjoyed making things. Even while competing as a BMX rider, I used to craft various items, such as paper lampshades and bags large enough to carry a whole BMX bike. A turning point came in 2005, when I won the annual series championship at a BMX competition in Japan, an event called "King of Ground" that drew top riders from overseas. Until then, my life had revolved entirely around BMX, but afterward, my interests gradually shifted toward areas I had long been curious about: traditional Japanese culture and environmental issues. Just as I was beginning to think, "I want to devote the rest of my life to traditional Japanese craftsmanship that harmonizes with the environment," I encountered a book that struck me with the force of a revelation. It featured works by a Living National Treasure in bamboo craft, and I still vividly remember the excitement I felt upon realizing bamboo's incredible potential.

BK: You personally harvest the bamboo yourself before transforming it into finished pieces. Was this always an intentional part of your practice, or did it become something you developed over time? What does being involved in the entire process mean to you?

Taku-san: When I handle the entire process myself, from harvesting the bamboo to crafting the final product, I can confidently put it out into the world, knowing I personally vouch for it. Whether the result is good or bad, it is entirely up to me. I played soccer as a child, but I sometimes found myself blaming others when things didn't go well. One of the reasons I became so captivated by BMX when I discovered it at eighteen was that I could practice and compete on my own; the results and how I was judged depended solely on me. That is the common thread between BMX and bamboo craftsmanship, and exactly what I love about both.

BK: Your woven patterns feel incredibly intricate yet deeply organic. Where do you typically draw inspiration from when designing your pieces? Are there particular moments in nature, memories, or textures that influence your work?

Taku-san: For the most part, the bamboo items I create rely on materials carefully prepared to ensure consistent width and thickness; weaving with such precisely prepared strips allows beautiful patterns to emerge. However, I am always careful not to apply excessive force to the bamboo during weaving. By shaping the piece while sensing the balance between the material's dimensions and the weave itself, I am able to create forms that are intricate yet evoke a sense of the natural world. Observing the magnificent nature of Yakushima, I sometimes see a perfect, effortless balance, while at other times I notice how strain or unnatural forces can disrupt the landscape. I aim to incorporate this inspiration into my own work. Furthermore, when harvesting bamboo in the mountains, I cut with the intention of maintaining the surrounding balance, or even with the hope of helping the area thrive, rather than disrupting it.

BK: What is one part of the bamboo-making process that still feels magical or surprising to you, even after years of doing this work?

Taku-san: As I go about my work day after day, I certainly often feel physically tired. Yet, I rarely experience any sense of mental strain or suffocation. At times, the work even feels meditative and pleasant. To someone who finds their job stressful, that sensation might seem mysterious, almost magical.

BK: As both an artist and a father, how do you stay organized and grounded in your day-to-day rhythm? Are there any analogue tools, rituals, or systems you rely on?

Taku-san: As I mentioned in response to the first question, one of the reasons I moved to Yakushima was for the sake of raising my children, so I make life with them the central focus of my days. If I get too busy with work, such as bamboo crafting, the balance of my life with the children suffers. This can lead to strained family relationships or even health issues. As for my routine, I go to bed early with the children and usually wake up around 4:00 a.m. Practicing yoga first thing in the morning is a lifelong habit for me, and I realize now that it has been about twenty years since I first incorporated yoga into my life.

BK: Through your bamboo workshops, you are not only preserving and sharing the tradition of bamboo craftsmanship, but also creating space for others to slow down and experience the material with their own hands. Have your students ever helped you see the craft in a new or unexpected way?

Taku-san: When conducting workshops, the first thing I feel is a sense of nostalgia, recalling the freshness of my initial encounter with bamboo craft during my days at the training school. This year, I also took on a new challenge: a comprehensive bamboo craft course. The program covered the entire process. Starting with going into the mountains to select and cut the bamboo, teaching the step-by-step preparation of the materials, and guiding students as they wove the bamboo they had prepared themselves into finished baskets. Teaching this course also gave me an opportunity to re-examine my own thoughts and feelings regarding bamboo.

BK: For those unfamiliar with bamboo craftsmanship, what is one thing you wish more people understood about the material and the process behind each piece?

Taku-san: This may be a personal sentiment regarding bamboo craftsmanship, but I view bamboo as a truly mystical living thing. With its rapid growth and immense vitality, it stands apart from other plants, offering numerous benefits to both people and the environment, including bamboo craftsmanship. It can be fashioned into practical tools and possesses an inherent beauty. If cared for, it serves us for a long time before eventually returning to the earth. I believe that it is through this entire cycle that my creations are truly complete.

BK: What is the best advice you have ever received, either as an artist or simply in life?

Taku-san: "Consistency is key." I wouldn't say I’m naturally gifted. However, back when I was deeply into BMX, I experienced firsthand the immense power of persistence and how it builds self-confidence. When it comes to what I truly want to do, I refuse to give up easily, and I want to keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.

BK: If you could leave one small lesson or feeling woven into every piece you create, what would you hope people carry with them?

Taku-san: When cutting bamboo in the mountains, I pray: "May this land become even more abundant, and may the lives and hearts of those who hold or behold the objects crafted from this bamboo be enriched as well." If my continuing work as a bamboo artisan can help fulfill that wish, there is no greater joy for me.

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Where to find Taku-san: 

Instagram: @chicktack_bamboocraftworks

❖ Find Chicktack Bamboo Artifacts HERE

Interview by: Eunice 
Translation by: Kei
Photos by: Taku-san, select photos courtesy of Wakako