Bob's Stickmaking Pages

C041 - Collector's item: A superb Japanese carved bamboo root-knob stick.

Approx. dimensions:

Overall length 33" / 84cm

Diameter of shaft 1" / 25mm

Light weight but very strong

Although this stick probably dates from the mid-19th century it is in remarkably good condition. I can see no splits in the bamboo at all. The carving is extremely crisp, detailed and of excellent quality and the whole stick has a lovely patina from many years of handling.

 The typical rather bizarre form of the bamboo rootknob fits the hand very comfortably . In this example a slight natural flattening of the cane just below the knob makes for an even more comfortable grip (or at least it does for us right-handers!). 
From just below the knob, the whole surface of the stick is covered in carving. Four characters in traditional Japanese dress are depicted in large oval cartouches which wrap right round the shaft. The whole of the background and surroundings are filled with finely-carved textures and geometric patterns.

Very likely the characters represent some traditional story. I have no idea what's going on here, but at the bottom we have a male character with even less hair than I have and a rather worried expression on his face as he watches a bird flying overhead (I know the feeling well). He has a horse with him, though it's not quite clear whether he's riding it or trying to hide it under his robe.

Above this, a female figure is holding some sort of long garment in her hands. Or maybe it's a giant squid... or maybe she's having trouble with her soufflés?

Next we have a stern-looking gentleman - possibly a Grumpy Old Man? (And so would I be, given the state of that soufflé).

And at the top is an elegant-looking lady. She doesn't look like the sort who would get involved in technical things like soufflés.

     
      
The tip of the stick is finished off with an open-ended brass ferrule. A brass nail or rod in the end minimises wear. This may well be original, so I have not attempted to improve on it. I have, however, given the exposed end a good feed of linseed oil to waterproof it and protect it from rot.
Altogether an excellent example of the traditional Japanese bamboo rootknob stick.
SOLD

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