#S2Ep1 Bamboo in History and Innovation: A Tale of Resilience

ONE OF THE FOUR GENTLEMEN

For thousands of years, the Chinese people have seen bamboo as a symbol of strength and good character. They admired how it could bend in fierce storms without breaking – just like a person who stays strong through tough times. The Chinese grouped bamboo with three other plants – the plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum – calling them the “four gentlemen.” They believed bamboo showed the best qualities of a virtuous scholar.

Bamboo at Qingbige Pavilion by Ke Jiusi, c. 1338; source: the palace museum

FINDING SOLITUDE IN BAMBOO

Many ancient scholars chose to live in seclusion within deep mountains surrounded by bamboo forests, where they would drink wine, write poems, or paint while enjoying the beauty of nature. By leading such a simple life, they sought to distance themselves from worldly affairs. Su Dongpo, a renowned writer of the Song Dynasty from the 10th to the 13th century expressed this sentiment in his poem: “I would rather eat no meat than live without bamboo.

Su Dongpopainted by Zhao Mengfu; source: wikimediacommons

PART OF IDENTITY OF THE KARBI TRIBE

For the Karbi tribe living deep in the hills of  Northeast India, bamboo is an important plant for their livelihood and cultural expression. The Karbi people believe that a person’s life begins and ends with bamboo. Their stories talk about a messenger named Sairikpo who brought bamboo as a gift from the heavens. They celebrate bamboo during harvest season, where community elders sing old tales while children dance.

Karbi people making bamboo baskets;Source: Pritam Das, 2020

BAMBOO AS OUTDOOR DECOR

During New Year’s, the Japanese place kadomatsu decorations made of bamboo and pine at their entrances to guide visiting deities. Bamboo became linked to kadomatsu during the samurai era. It is believed that people viewed bamboo as a fitting symbol for casting away life’s troubles, as it consistently grows tall and straight toward the sky.

Typical Bamboo Kadomatsu; source: wikimediacommons

THE BAMBOO CUTTER AND THE MOON CHILD

One of the most beloved tales is that of the Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Child, which is among the most famous and oldest surviving folktales from Japan. The story touches on themes of belonging, impermanence, and the conflict between earthly attachments and divine duty – themes that remain relevant in Japanese culture today.

Princess Kaguya returns to the moon (1650); source: wikimedia

BENEFITS FOR PLANET AND HEALTH

Bamboo is also a champion in the fight against climate change. It is more effective than trees at removing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, while providing us with oxygen in return.

When it comes to health benefits, bamboo shoots are packed with essential nutrients – proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. THE shoots are rich in antioxidants that promote good health and help combat harmful free radicals in our bodies, potentially aiding in the prevention of certain diseases.

Source: Terefe et al., 2019

REFERENCES:

1. Das, P., Bain, W. K., & Gogoi, B. (2020). Bamboo Crafts and Associated Knowledge System of The Karbi Tribe of Assam Plains, North-Eastern India: A Cultural Heritage. TRIVALENT ත්‍රිසංයුජ: Journal of Archaeology, Tourism & Anthropology, 1(1).
2. Kamesh, Salam. (2008). Bamboo for Economic Prosperity and Ecological Security.  2(4) 
3. Myths of China and Japan, Author: Donald A. Mackenzie (2022)
4. Upadhyaya, K. D. (1964). Indian Botanical Folklore. Asian Folklore Studies, 23(2), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.2307/1177747
5. Public relations office, government of Japan
6. Asean energy database systemDas, M. (2019). Bamboo: Inherent source of nutrition and medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 8(2), 1338-1344.