Experience the traditional shino-bamboo craft of Osaki City, a tradition that dates back about three hundred years. It is said that shino-bamboo craft was first developed in the Edo period by low-ranking samurai in the Iwadeyama area (now part of Osaki City) as a source of extra income. Later, local farmers began taking up the craft as a side job during the agricultural off-season in winter.

Shino-bamboo craft is made from stalks of wild bamboo that has been split into fine strips. These strips are then woven together to make kitchen tools, baskets, and more. Its strong fibers make bamboo a durable source material, and because bamboo grows so quickly, an ecologically friendly one as well.

Watch local artisans in action, or learn from them and make your own craft. Most of the items exhibited are for sale, including baskets, fashion accessories, interior decorations, and more. The museum also offers hands on crafting experiences where visitors are how to make their own shino-bamboo craft. Artisans guide participants step-by-step through the process, and by the end of the workshop each participant will have handcrafted their very own shino-bamboo item! Participants can choose from a variety of crafting projects ranging from quick and easy, a shino-bamboo toy that takes about thirty minutes to make, to major projects like shino-bamboo baskets that take several hours to complete.

In honor of the Iwadeyama area’s samurai legacy, the museum also offers samurai armor rental. Visitors can rent armor and stroll the Iwadeyama historical district like a Date warrior.