Tanabe Chikuunsai Iv: Masterpieces In Bamboo

Large, strong, flexible and fast-growing, bamboo has been used from India to Japan as a building material, food and fuel for thousands of years.

The art of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV (1973-) elevates bamboo to the status of modern art, a unifying symbol of Japanese culture. His large, detailed sculptures, made without the use of rivets or adhesives, respect traditional craftsmanship while conveying important contemporary messages - the co-dependence of nature and man, and the importance of protecting our environment.

Part autobiography, part introduction to the craft, this monograph follows Chikuunsai IV's evolution from a child in awe of his grandfather's bamboo skills to a full-fledged maestro.