| There are few plants that man has been able to use | | | | taken from the knots of young sprouts and used for |
| in a larger variety of ways than bamboo. This plant | | | | making candles. |
| can grow to giant proportions and is a close relative | | | | In India a peasant is born, lives and dies with regular |
| to rice and corn - all in the grass family. Bamboos | | | | use of this peculiar grass. The umbilical cord is cut |
| grow on every continent apart from Europe and the | | | | with a bamboo knife, the child sleeps in a bamboo |
| Antarctic and it is mostly found in Asia. | | | | cradle and young sprouts are a part of daily meals. |
| Bamboo is used as construction material, raw material | | | | The land is farmed with bamboo tools, which are also |
| for paper, material for tools, musical instruments, | | | | used to feed the cattle. The dead are burned on |
| fishing poles and high quality furniture. Ancient | | | | stretchers made from bamboo. |
| Japanese houses used to be built entirely from this | | | | Asian kitchens prepare many meals using bamboo. |
| grass. The expansive use of bamboos is due to its | | | | One interesting fact is that giant bamboo contains |
| strength, which can be compared to steel. It seems | | | | cyanide, but if boiled the poison breaks down and it is |
| that this plant has the fastest recorded growth rate | | | | safe to eat. Bamboo is a very important ingredient |
| - 120cm in 24 hours. | | | | for meals. It is also used for making sweet wine and |
| In Japan a special type of bamboos called mao-chu is | | | | as dishes for serving rice and soup. Food is also |
| used for manufacturing furniture. An especially | | | | cooked in bamboo, which gives it a very different |
| decorative and expensive type is called kiko-chiku, | | | | flavour. The most important fact for this modern age |
| which has joints in triangular shapes that resembles a | | | | is that bamboo items are eco friendly. In addition, if |
| turtle shell. A classic Japanese house has an attic | | | | the redecoration of one's house is under |
| made of bamboo, wood and paper. Various | | | | consideration, the warmest recommendation goes |
| household objects, baskets, arrows and bows, tea | | | | out to this flexible, strong grass to be utilized in the |
| sets and even some types of samurai swords | | | | home. |
| incorporate bamboo. A substance similar to wax is | | | | |