(Tombo or Tonbo)

The balancing Dragonfly is  known as Tonbo (ton bow) or Tombo (tom bow).

Origin

Bamboo originated in China around the Genghis Khan era. The Mongolians that rode on horseback would cross the Great Walls to raid the fall crops, like grain. Tombo represents the Fall season in Japan. When the Dragonfly would start flying around in the fall, it reminded the people that it was time for Genghis Khan to arrive, and they began calling the Dragonfly the insects that Gengis Khan brings.

The bamboo used is called "Mosou" (moe sue) natural, light- brown color; Kuro Dake  (koo doe da kay) natural, black color; or  Susu Dake (sue sue da kay) aged "darker" or "mahogany" color.

Susu Dake: Over one-hundred years ago, a typical Japanese home had a central open charcoal pit (usually square) where a bamboo pole hung from the ceiling (near the middle of the charcoal pit). A teapot or cooking pot was hung at the bottom of the bamboo pole over burning charcoal. The smoke from the charcoal rose vertically up the bamboo pole and out through a hole in the ceiling, and over a period of time caused the natural color of the bamboo to age and become a "darker" or "mahogany" color. The Susu Dake bamboo is very rare and used in bamboo crafts sparingly.

The Susu Dake bamboo used is in limited quantity. Once the current supply of Susu Dake is gone - there is no more - which should increase the future value of the crafts.

The difference between the Mosou, Kuro Dake and Susu Dake is that the aging effect of the Susu Dake bamboo permeates throughout the bamboo from external to internal. Mosou and Kuro Dake bamboo has a natural bamboo color, usually with a darker color (external), and lighter color (internal).

Over time, all bamboo will change color, and a “spotting effect” may be noticed on some bamboo, but this is a natural phenomenon and does not affect the quality of the craft.

These bamboo Dragonfly crafts are hand-made by Japanese Artisans at the base of Mt Fuji, Japan.  The Master Japanese Craftsman who makes the majority of this wonderful craft, spent many years developing the carving and balancing techniques to accomplish these artful creations. The quality of his work can easily be seen in the Dragonfly, Insects, Crabs, Preying Mantis, Violin, and other highly prized artwork on this website.

What makes the Dragonfly unique? .......... Each balances and rotates on the tip of its nose!

The Dragonfly is a separate piece and not attached in any way.

There are no magnets, or counterweights used for balance. 

Balance is accomplished by the amount of bamboo that is carefully and skillfully removed.

Close-up of the Dragonfly balancing on its nose

Dragonfly's are available as a single item, with a stand (as in the photo's below), or in specific configurations as crafted by the artist. Light and Dark color are determined by the bamboo used in addition to the rare Susu Dake, of which, only a few are available and in limited supply.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Placing the Dragonfly

Click on Photo to Enlarge

The Dragonfly complements flower arrangements !

 Photo's of Kokedama (moss covered soil with arranged plants and displayed with Dragonfly) 

                 The Dragonfly makes an excellent display on a desktop or shelf and is a great conversational work-of-art.

    Limited Quantity on some items!     

Some Dragonfly settings are one-of-a-kind!

(Actual items may differ from the picture shown as each is hand-made.)

Gift Ideas

A desktop pen holder.

Product List

                                                                                       Dragonfly Information