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A hand woven antique Japanese rattan bowstring holder (tsuru-oke), crafted in a circular form with intricate basketry technique. This utilitarian yet elegant object was used to safely store spare bowstrings (tsuru) for the yumi, the long asymmetric bow central to Japanese archery. By keeping strings coiled, dry, and protected from tangling, the tsuru-oke ensured a warrior or archer was always prepared in training, hunting, or battle.
Archery, or kyūjutsu, was among the most important martial disciplines of the samurai class before the widespread adoption of firearms. Beyond warfare, archery retained deep spiritual and ceremonial meaning in Japan, influencing the development of kyūdō (the “Way of the Bow”), a practice still revered today for its emphasis on precision, discipline, and inner focus. Objects like this bowstring holder highlight the essential role of archery in samurai culture, where even functional tools were executed with care and artistry.
Age: Circa 19th century
Dimensions 14" high x 5 1/4" diameter
Archery, or kyūjutsu, was among the most important martial disciplines of the samurai class before the widespread adoption of firearms. Beyond warfare, archery retained deep spiritual and ceremonial meaning in Japan, influencing the development of kyūdō (the “Way of the Bow”), a practice still revered today for its emphasis on precision, discipline, and inner focus. Objects like this bowstring holder highlight the essential role of archery in samurai culture, where even functional tools were executed with care and artistry.
Age: Circa 19th century
Dimensions 14" high x 5 1/4" diameter
$875.00
item #1508205
