Madake and Shinodake｜The story of Bamboo
Bamboo is familiar to Japanese people
Bamboo, used as a material for shinobue（篠笛） and shakuhachi（尺八）, is widely distributed throughout Japan.
Bamboo has been closely associated with Japanese people's lives since ancient times, and products made from bamboo have been excavated from Jomon-era（B.C.8000-B.C.2000） ruins.
It is used not only for musical instruments, but also for daily necessities such as baskets and colanders, tools for tea ceremonies and flower arrangement, and martial arts equipment such as bamboo swords and bows. In addition, the leaves are used for tea, and bamboo shoots are cooked and eaten.
There are so many types of bamboo, and it is said that there are as many as 600 species in Japan.
Madake（真竹）
The madake bamboo used for shakuhachi is a large species, reaching 15 cm in diameter and 20 meters in height. It is characterized by long internodes and thin material. It is used for various purposes because of its excellent flexibility, color, and luster.
Shinodake（篠竹）
The shinodake used for shinobue flutes is 5 to 8 mm in diameter and 1 to 3 meters high and is thin and does not grow high. It has long internodes, and its outer bark is not shiny. It is mainly used for shinobue flutes.
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