Bamboo Beyond Words: Taketora Hosts Hands-on Session at Japan House London

Taketora, a specialist bamboo materials manufacturer and retailer of Tiger Striped Bamboo (operated by Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd.), which has been cherished since its founding in Meiji 27 (1894), held a five-sense 'Handling Session' on August 18, 2026 (Tuesday) at Japan House London, led by its representative director and president, Yoshihiro Yamagishi, the fourth-generation head of Taketora.

[30-Year Blog] The Bamboo Journey: From London to Budapest, Hungary

https://www.taketora.co.jp/diary/2026/08/post-5755.html

At Japan House London, a special exhibition titled 'Tosa Tiger Striped Bamboo' is currently being held from June 25 (Thursday) to August 25 (Tuesday). Marking a significant milestone in this exhibition, the Handling Session featured a carefully curated selection of bamboo items, structured into 10 special program segments.

The theme was to experience the charm of bamboo beyond just 'seeing' it through display cases—using all five senses. Participants observed bamboo, held it, touched it, and listened closely to its sounds, directly feeling the unique properties and expressions of each bamboo specimen. Attendees listened intently to the explanations by the fourth-generation head of Taketora, creating a meaningful moment where participants directly engaged with bamboo, a material deeply rooted in Japanese daily life for centuries.

Hardness and softness, sharpness and gentleness, flexibility, lightness, and beauty—this session aimed to let participants feel the intrinsic characteristics of bamboo through their palms and ears, aspects often overlooked when viewing only finished bamboo products.

Based in Yasu, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture—the 'Village of Tiger Bamboo'—Taketora has continued its dedication to bamboo for 132 years as of 2026. Over this long history, the company has inherited not only the craftsmanship of making bamboo products but also the artisans' wisdom in recognizing each bamboo's individuality, utilizing its nature, and transforming it into everyday tools, along with a profound understanding of bamboo as a natural material.

Therefore, what Taketora wishes to convey extends beyond the beauty of finished products. It is to evoke the realization: 'Bamboo is such a fascinating material.' The flexibility that can only be felt through touch, the sound discovered only when tapped, the evolving shapes and expressions shaped by handcraft—through participants carefully handling each bamboo piece and observing their differences and features, it became evident that bamboo, as a material, possesses a universal power to spark curiosity, transcending language and culture.

Decades ago, the UK's BBC was the first international media outlet to visit the Village of Tiger Bamboo. Now, in the UK, the fourth-generation head of Taketora himself is holding Japanese bamboo and conveying its charm. This long-awaited opportunity, connecting past and present, was an emotionally moving experience.

And the bamboo journey does not end in London. The next stage is Budapest, Hungary. Alongside participation in the Budapest Folk Art Festival, where nearly 1,000 traditional craft artisans from around the world gather, Taketora plans to host another hands-on Handling Session, allowing local audiences to directly experience Japanese bamboo.

[Video] What is the charm of bamboo that the World Bamboo Ambassador wants to share in London and Hungary? Experience Japanese bamboo with all five senses—touch, hold, and use.

From a small village of Tiger Bamboo in Kochi to London, and onward to Budapest. For 132 years, walking alongside bamboo, Taketora will continue to share not only products, but the wonder of touching bamboo, the wisdom of craftsmanship, and the essence of Japanese culture living in harmony with natural materials, with the world.

<Event Date: August 18, 2026 (Tuesday)>

[30-Year Blog] The Bamboo Journey: From London to Budapest, Hungary

https://www.taketora.co.jp/diary/2026/08/post-5755.html

Taketora (Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd.) Company Overview

https://www.taketora.co.jp/c/special/ta0002

Taketora Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd.

Company Name: Taketora Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd. Headquarters: 913-1 Yasu, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture (Head Office & Main Store) Representative Director: Yoshihiro Yamagishi Founded: 1894 (Meiji 27) Capital: 10 million JPY Business: Manufacturing, wholesale, and sales of specialty Tiger Striped Bamboo (Torafutake) and various bamboo crafts, bamboo charcoal, bamboo vinegar liquid, etc. URL: https://www.taketora.co.jp/ ※ Kochi Family Health Management Award 2021 ※ Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award, Furusato Creation Grand Prize, Reiwa 2 ※ 7th Ministry of the Environment Good Life Award, Environmental Regional Branding Prize ※ Runner-up, Red Bull Box Cart Race Tokyo 2019 ※ 33rd Kochi Prefecture Local Industry Award, Kochi Prefecture Local Industry Encouragement Prize

Press Inquiries

Taketora (Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd.) Fourth-generation Head (Yoshihiro Yamagishi) Email: [email protected] <Headquarters> Taketora (Yamagishi Bamboo Co., Ltd.) 913-1 Yasu, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture 785-0024 TEL 0889-42-3201 FAX 0889-42-3283 (Business Hours: 9:00–17:30)