I am Shinnosuke Takeshita, representing Chikuhou Koubou, a bamboo craft workshop in Hiroshima. I am selling a new bamboo walking stick craft, made from rare natural kikko-chiku (tortoiseshell bamboo), completed last December. Normally, these Kōmon-sama style walking sticks are sold for 20,000 to 24,000 yen (plus 2,000 yen for a tassel), but for this New Year's special, I am offering it at a discounted price. The production period is about one year. The process involves harvesting the bamboo in November, cleaning it, and then natural drying for about two months. After that, it undergoes flame-roasting and oil removal, followed by polishing with rice bran and natural drying for about 10 months, during which it is regularly polished with rice bran. This process removes moisture over approximately 10 months. The final finish involves a final polish for about 10 minutes to bring out the luster (usually, the polishing takes about 3 minutes). Kikko-chiku is a mutation of Mōsō bamboo, and it gets its name from the tortoiseshell pattern on its nodes. Like pine, bamboo, and plum (shō-chiku-bai), bamboo is considered auspicious. Since the pattern of kikko-chiku is unique, each piece is an original bamboo walking stick craft, one of a kind in the world. The flame-roasting patterns are also all different. Measurements: Length: Approximately 147cm Thickness (diameter): Top: Approximately 4cm, Bottom: Approximately 2.5cm~3cm Although a non-slip rubber tip is not included, I will attach one for 1,000 yen for those who purchase it (normally 1,500 yen). As a service, I will include one noren (shop curtain) pole (length 103cm). (Noren poles are usually sold for 2,000 to 8,000 yen. This measurement is for a 2,000 yen noren pole.) Price negotiations are available only for those who purchase by February 2nd. Type: Other bamboo walking stick crafts Natural, rare kikko-chiku craft walking stick Handmade, workshop-made product. For walking or as a decorative item for a tokonoma (alcove)... Material: Other, Mōsō bamboo (kikko-chiku)