Bamboo Finishing Techniques
Basket rims
Bamboo basket rims are used to hold together, stabilize, and finish off basket forms. There are six primary basket rim styles: (1) a wrapped rim (maki-buchi), with bamboo or rattan wrapped around the basket’s upper lip; (2) a flat attached rim (hiraate-buchi), with flat bamboo strips affixed to both the inside and outside of the basket lip using smaller strands of rattan or similar material; (3) a tied-on rim (masawariate-buchi), with thin bamboo strips lashed to the top of the rim; (4) a tack-fastened rim (kugitomeate-buchi), whose inside and outside rim are affixed using tacks; (5) an arrow-notch rim (yahazu-buchi), a style created by celebrated artisan Shono Shounsai (1904–1974), in which the bamboo strips used for the main basket section are continuously woven to create an integrated rim; and (6) a circular concealed rim (rinkokeshi-buchi), which is also a continuation of the main basket weave but further integrates (conceals) the rim rather than making it a discrete design element.
Colors
Bamboo can be colored (usually in shades of brown) using dyes, with chemicals heated to produce coloring, or by bleaching. High heat and pressure can also be applied to alter the bamboo’s properties and generate a sooty color.
Coatings
Traditionally, bamboo tools and goods were designed to make use of the material’s light weight, absorptive ability, and other natural properties, so no coatings were applied. Contemporary interior decoration and furnishing items, however, are often coated to enhance aesthetic appeal, add waterproofing, and strengthen the material. Lacquer, natural and synthetic resin coatings, oils, wax, silica, and other organic solvents are used.