Special Feature: Bamboo Vases
Simple yet profound—this collection introduces the deep allure of bamboo flower vases.
Unlike bronze or ceramic vases, bamboo vases have a unique texture that gently embraces all kinds of plants and flowers. This is because the vases themselves are made from a plant that shares a natural affinity with the flora they hold.
A bamboo stalk, once cut, becomes a beautiful cylindrical vase with no need for elaborate shaping.
When you think about it, there is no other flower vessel as effortlessly simple and rustic as bamboo.
Freshly cut bamboo becomes a vibrant green vase, and as time passes, its color changes, creating a quiet, serene atmosphere.
These bamboo vases, shaped by stripping away all excess, embody a refined simplicity.
Because of this, the flowers and plants arranged in them must also be minimal yet deeply expressive.
 |
|
Simple Yet Profound: Bamboo Flower Vases
All bamboo vases offered by Karak Online Shop are crafted by long-established bamboo artisans in Kyoto.
In this special feature, we shine a spotlight on bamboo—introducing the voices of the artisans and showcasing each unique vase.
|
Interview with the Artisan A Fine Bamboo Vase Begins in the Grove…With over 30 years of experience in bamboo craftsmanship, Mr. Ōtsuka is a master artisan who has dedicated his life to Kyoto’s traditional industries. We sat down with Mr. Ōtsuka to learn more about his philosophy and the deep connection between bamboo groves and the beauty of ikebana. |
|
Q. Your company is located in a region famous for bamboo. Are bamboo flower vases something that can only be made in such production areas?
A. The process of making bamboo flower vases actually begins in the bamboo grove.
Growing bamboo is already part of the craft.
Because the natural character of the bamboo is directly reflected in the finished vase, cultivating high-quality bamboo is essential to the entire process.
Q. So your workplace isn’t just the workshop, but also the bamboo grove?
A. Yes, we observe the bamboo as it grows, envisioning what it will become in the future.
For example, if we place a frame around the bamboo while it’s still growing, it will develop into a square shape. If we remove the leaves while the bamboo is still healthy and let it dry standing, it becomes goma-dake, a type with a rustic, wabi-sabi charm.
There’s a unique joy in working with bamboo—it allows us to be involved in every step, from nurturing the raw material to crafting the final product.
Q. There seems to be a wide variety of bamboo materials. Do the vases differ depending on whether they’re used for Shoka or Free Style？
A. The vases used for Shoka are already perfected in form, but we continue to study them based on the teachings of Ikenobo
Tradition means that something remains the same a hundred years ago and a hundred years from now.
At the same time, we also create more colorful, expressive vases designed to suit modern interiors. So while we honor tradition, we also embrace contemporary styles.
Q. Is there anything you always keep in mind when crafting any type of flower vase?
A. A flower vase is only complete when it holds flowers—it is just one part of the ikebana arrangement.
That’s why I always remind myself that the vase should never outshine the flowers.
Introducing a Classic Bamboo Vase Used in Ikebana
 |
Zundo (寸胴)The zundo(寸胴)—also written as 寸筒—is a traditional bamboo vase made by cutting a thick bamboo stalk horizontally. It typically stands about 30 cm tall, with a circumference roughly equal to its height. A distinctive feature is the bamboo node located slightly below the center of the vase. This type of vase has long been used as a quintessential vessel for Shoka. It is especially well-suited for arranging leaves like aspidistra and flowers such as chrysanthemums, allowing for a clean and upright presentation. |
 |
Tachizuru (立鶴)
The tachizuru is a refined and stylish bamboo vase, crafted by carving out the lower half of a zundo vase—specifically from the node at the center downward—so that it resembles the two legs of a standing crane. This design gives it a light, graceful charm. It is treated as a Shin flower vase. Ideal for Issu-ike (single flower arrangement) of camellias, daffodils, and irises, it also pairs beautifully with Nishu-ike (two flowers arrangement) using light flower combinations, such as adding fukujusō (Adonis) and miyakowasure (Gymnaster). |
 |
Ichijugiri (一重切)
The ichijugiri is a bamboo vase made by horizontally carving a single opening into a bamboo stalk with three or more nodes. Thicker ones are used as oki-ike vases, while slimmer ones are used as hang vases. This vase is for So style. Arrangements placed in an ichijugiri are known as ichijū-ike, and the style of arranging is chosen to harmonize with the character of the vase. |
 |
Kanae (鼎)
The kanae is a distinctive bamboo vase featuring three carved legs and two decorative handles, crafted from a thick sunkiri bamboo stalk. Its form is modeled after the ancient Chinese bronze vessel known as a ding, which is why it bears the same name. This is a vase for Shin style, suitable for single- or two-flower Shoka arrangements. It can also be used for Free Style, where its elegant form adds a refined touch to more expressive compositions. |
|
Nijugiri(二重切)
This bamboo vase expresses both elegance and strength through its dual openings. When arranged with both openings, the nijūgiri allows for a composition that conveys a natural sense of depth and perspective—like a landscape unfolding vertically. |
 |
Senkaku (仙鶴) Its design is inspired by the long neck of a crane. The shape of the beak is carved from the upper node ring, and the overall form varies slightly depending on the thickness and taper of the bamboo. Product Details |
 |
Kin’Kame (金亀) |
 |
Fune (船) Originally, the use of boat-shaped vessels followed a realistic representation, which later evolved into more stylized designs. In both de-fune and iri-fune arrangement, regardless of whether the alcove (tokonoma) is hon-gatte or gyaku-gatte style, the de-fune is arranged with the bow facing left and the stern to the right from the viewer’s perspective, and the flowers are arranged in hon-gatte. Conversely, the iri-fune is arranged with the bow to the right and the stern to the left, with the flowers arranged in gyaku-gatte. Both styles incorporate shin, soe and tai branches in Shoka, and also include elements named after parts of a boat, such as the sail (ho) and oar (ro). Among these, the de-fune is considered a celebratory arrangement. |