Weekly Photo Challenge: Create : Making Bamboo Chopsticks
My children and I joined a class which taught us making bamboo chopsticks. The class was held in a public nature park in Saitama.
We were so lucky that it was free.
First, we learned that there are two kinds of bamboos in Japan.
One is “Madake（真竹）” which grows in Japan since the old days.
The other one is”Mousoudake(孟宗竹）. “which is originated from China. We used the Mousoudake because it’s much harder than the Madake.
My children and I needed colaborate to cut the bamboo because I had to hold a hatchet while my children hit on the end of my hatchet haft for cutting the bamboo.
When the bamboo fiber was spilt up, we felt really refreshed.
After cutting them, we chipped them with a small knife. Since I was worried if my daughters would get hurt with the knife, the staff and I assisted them cautiously.
Finally, we used a sandpaper to make them smooth.
That was the last task we did on the day.
We need to dry them for a week and had better oil them for preventing from going moldy.
Each set of them is really original and has unique detail. It’s worth to make them by yourselves.
I’m not very good of using them, I still prefer spoon and fork,
I see. As for me, it’s not easy to use it.
Thanks.
yeah it is not, lol that’s why I prefer using spoon & fork
It’s okay.
That is great! And I can see how they are so subtly unique. Real treasures.
Thank you. Yes, each works have unique detail.
How nice to make something together that’s useful and practical.
Thank you. I think so. They are useful and precious.
Very interesting, we grow bamboo in the garden, maybe I should ask my husband to try and make some!
That’s good. It’s easy to make them and they will be your treasure.
Phew, if you’re working together with hatchets and hammers, you really need to trust each other! Good activity for a father and his children.
PS: I’ve come to prefer chopsticks, because you only need one hand. If you use a knife and fork, both hands have to work hard!
Actually, my children sometimes hit my hand instead of the hatchet.
Basically, the right hand holds a chopsticks and the left hand holds a rice bowl.
Things made with our own hands are always very precious. *^v^*
I think so. We’ll use them for a long time.
I love using chopsticks when we go out for Japanese cuisine and sushi. How awesome it is to make your own sets! A memorable outing with your daughters I’m sure.
Thanks much. I’m glad that you also use chopsticks sometimes. It’s best to use chopsticks when you eat sushi.
Fascinating! Now I know how chopsticks are made :^) I must admit I have only tried using them a few times before. To eat my meals, I usually prefer a shovel or pitchfork, but have trouble getting the big servings of food in my mouth :^)
I see. Of course almost all chopsticks are made by machine.
Children have to practice how to use it.
They turned out really well. I hope you got to keep them and use them during meals.
Sure. We use it for a long time. Thanks.
How interesting! A great example of create. It’s wonderful to have done this activity with your children.
Thank you. It’s interesting to know how the things are made.
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I never would ahve realized what went into making chopsticks! This is a great entry!
Here’s mine!
http://wp.me/s1OXNv-create
Than you for stopping by. Glad to know you.
That looks like a lot of fun
Indeed. It was fun both for adults and children.
昔、私の家族は竹製の箸を使いました。
今は韓国式の金属製の箸を使っています。＾＾
金属製のは壊しにくいですから〜
韓国料理店に行くと確かに金属の重い箸がでてきますね。今までのうちも含めてプラスチックを使ってる家が多いと思います。
This is very interesting, Cocomino! Thanks for sharing!
Many thanks. That’s encouraging.
What a great post. i love using chopsticks even if i take forever to finish my meal
I see. If you practice to use it, you can eat food including beans very quickly.
Hmmmmmmm…not sure that will ever be the case with me.
I’m sure that you can do it.
You do the most amazing things with your children! They are collecting precious memories, as well as learning skills.
It would be a very special experience to eat with chopsticks you had made with your own hands.
I think so. We don’t forget the memory as long as we use them. The chopsticks are priceless
Wow! This is so interesting! Now I know how bamboo chopsticks are made! If someday when I go camping and forget to bring my own chopsticks, I can find some bamboos and make my own! XD
Yes, it’s okay if you forget chopsticks.
It’s easy and interesting.
Looks like a lot of fun and those are some pretty cool chopsticks. I would love to make my own pair one day
Japan Australia
Definitely. It must be also really fun for you. Thanks much.
What an interesting class to attend! And then to eat making your own creation – priceless!
Thanks much. I also think that the memory and the chopsticks are priceless.
I’m not very good at using chopsticks, but I think it is fun to try every now and then! Actually making them sounds like a lot of fun, too! I am very impressed by all the entertaining and informative things / projects you are able to find for your daughters… I’m sure they must appreciate that, too!
Thank you so much. I’m also enjoying these classes with my daughters. They are also for me and I’m glad if my daughters appreciate it.
How fascinating. You do the funnest things with your kids!
Many thanks. Indeed, this was fun.
Such a great family experience of crafting for your daughters! You guys always come up with such great family weekend activities. How wonderful of you to share them with us. Thank you.
Thank you so much. All your comments are encouraging to keep it up. Have a great day.
Looks like fun, and it looks like it would become easier once you have done this a few times. I guess I had assumed that chopsticks were all made by machine, so I appreciate seeing how they are still made by hand.
Thanks a lot. As you said, most chopsticks are made by machine. It’s important to know how to make them especially for kids.
I’ve never heard f this type of class. It looks like it would be very interesting to take. I love the post. So well done ….
Thank you so much. It was an interesting class to know handmade crafts. I’ll find another classes.
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A wonderful post. What a great activity to do with your children, and you will have these precious, handmade utensils for a longtime to come. Delightful!
Thanks a lot. We will not forget these utensils because it takes for a long time and they are original.
What an interesting process. i thought they were made by machines in factories
Thanks. I also thought like that but we must have made the chopsticks by hand in the old days.
I always wondered how they are made. It’s more exciting and fun that I ever imagined. Thank you. Have a great weekend.
Many thanks. It’s really fun. We learned a lot.
Love this post…always so neat seeing how things are made
Many thanks. It’s a great way to eat food.
Such a wonderful activity to do together with your children. Those are chopsticks they will treasure forever.
Thank you so much. Yes, they are treasure. Sorry for late reply.
They are really lovely, what a cool thing to do with your children. There are a couple of things that I have repeatedly tried to do: read music and use chop sticks…. I give up. lol
It’s not easy to use chopsticks correctly even for me.
I used to be scolded about it by my parents.
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