Bamboo

What's Madake

Madake-Phyllostachys bambusoides is one of most general bamboo in Japan."MA" means real or general."DAKE=TAKE"means bamboo.It's grown south of north east area in Japan.
It is 10-20 meters tall,5-15 centimeters in diameter.Bamboo shoot is edible,and it is bitterer than other species.
It is used for a lot of things.For example, basket,utensils for tea ceremony,bamboo sword-called"sinai" for KENDO,bows,and fishing rod,and filament of Edison's electric bulbs.
Representative direction for useing fishing rod is to tip section of "Hera"rods."Hera=herabuna(Carassius cuvieri)" is one of Japanese crucian carp.Split 2-4 pieces are splited from the bottom section of bamboo they are bound and glued.Then they are shaved in a circle.And highest grade is not bound,made from 1 piece.It means this bamboo hardly inflict the power at the node sections and it's tough.
Most of materials I use for rods are same highest grade bamboos.We can share one bamboo becourse "Hera"rod builder use the part of bamboo about 6 feet from the ground and I use just higher section of it.

All of the bamboos are selected by me in the bamboo forest in November and December.And sometimes I cut them by myself.
Fortunately, There are some good habitates nearer than 200km from my house.



I choose straight,40-50cm distance from node to node,around 8 years old,8-10cm in diameter-biggest one was 13cm,beautiful bamboos.
One of hundreds or thousands of bamboos can be used for fishing rods.
First, I bring bamboos to my house then, I wash their surfaces.It's not only to find damages and blots, but also it is hastes to dry.
My wife helps me in this season.
Then, All the bamboos are sprited in 16-32 pieses,and dried out in the sun untill March.
Over one year later,I use them.

Comparison between Madake and Tonkin bamboo

Cross sections of bamboos
From left side:Madake,Hatiku,Tonkin bamboo,

Fibers
Madake's fibers are finer than Tonkin bamboo's. And they are concentrated near out side.I think it is one of the reason Madake suite for dericate fine rod.

Weight & Hardness
Madake is lighter than Tonkin bamboo, a little bit softer than Tonkin bamboo if they are made same taper. But It has enough durability and power for fishing rod.

Action
Madake is suitable for fine action rod,-especially to the tip section. And rhythm of amplitude is faster than Tonkin bamboo. You'll feel it is lighter than actual weight when you cast it. Tonkin bamboo is more powerful than madake. I think inportant things are ,What kind of action builder want to make them, understand their character and find them out.

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