yondaime@taketora.co.jp

Yoshihiro Yamagishi is the fourth-generation successor of Taketora, a bamboo artisan company based in the small village of Awa, just outside Kochi City, Japan. This village is home to a unique and rare type of bamboo known as torafudake or toratake (tiger bamboo), which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Yoshihiro and his company transform this distinctively-patterned bamboo into a wide range of products, from cutlery and vases to accessories, slippers, and even a fully functioning electric vehicle. Taketora’s commitment to bamboo craftsmanship has been a family legacy for over 120 years, and Yoshihiro’s journey within this craft has been shaped by deep personal reflection and a love for bamboo that continues to grow.

For Yoshihiro, bamboo is not just a material; it is a profound teacher that offers life lessons. He recalls how, from a young age, his family and elders taught him that the local bamboo grove was the safest place to shelter during an earthquake. It wasn’t until later in life that he understood why: although bamboo plants appear to grow independently, their roots are connected underground through rhizomes, creating a non-erosive network similar to reinforced concrete. This underground strength allows bamboo to withstand earthquakes, symbolizing the power of solidarity in the face of challenges. This life lesson from bamboo has become an important reminder for Yoshihiro as he continues his work.

Despite being determined to continue the family tradition, Yoshihiro faced many struggles during his training. For the first eight years, he considered quitting almost every day, as the repetitive and labor-intensive nature of the work seemed to lack purpose. However, a simple yet heartfelt comment from a customer transformed his perspective. After renovating the customer’s home entrance with a traditional bamboo fence, the customer told Yoshihiro, “The work you do is extraordinary. I feel so healed when I see this bamboo.” Those words reawakened his appreciation for the beauty and significance of bamboo, reigniting his passion for the craft.

Yoshihiro’s connection to bamboo goes beyond craftsmanship. He is continuously awed by its natural beauty—its infinite shades of green, smooth texture, and the magical sound of bamboo knocking together in the wind. Whenever he visits the bamboo forests, he feels a sense of reverence for the plants, describing them as “flexible yet firm, wise yet humble, independent yet united.” To Yoshihiro, bamboo holds important lessons about life, and he hopes to share that experience with anyone fortunate enough to visit his village.

Through his work at Taketora, Yoshihiro remains committed to honoring his family’s legacy while inspiring others to appreciate the wisdom and beauty that bamboo offers.