Here is one of my personal favorites among the ancient canes, in part because of its aesthetics, and in part for the story of these remarkable pieces of wood. The handle is my most recently acquired ancient material, its West African Birch wood that was found sunk into a bog where it was resting for at least 1000 years! Its color is darker from mineral exposure and the wood is denser for the same reason. The bog birch handle is chatoyant with a handsome shimmery grain, a dynamic effect only appreciated in person.

The shaft is another ancient wood, one with a more explosive story: Its Jindai Keyaki wood, or one of the Japanese elm species. My source in Japan explained to me that Keyaki is the rarest of the ancient (Jindai) timbers, and its the densest I have as well. The wood is approximately 2600 years old, and was buried under a volcanic eruption from Mt. Chokaisan. A massive, and famous volcano in Japan, Chokaisan had a large eruption 2600 years ago that caused a collapse of its summit and what’s called the Kisakata debris avalanche. The rocks and soil that collapsed flowed north-northwestward and were deposited widely in the current Kisakata and Nikaho towns. The volume is estimated to be 3 to 4 billion cubic meters of earth. It’s under all of this debris that some of the ancient forest has been preserved without decay from lack of oxygen, and some has been excavated.

The Japanese word “Jindai” means “The age of the Gods”, and speaks to the age of the material; its so old that its considered part of mythology! Its a privilege to offer such amazing and unique material in my work.

Finishing the cane is a translucent piece of Alaskan Muskox horn with brass and thin layers of Jindai Keyaki. Cane weight is medium, suitable for most any user. It is daily use appropriate and functional. Total length measures 38” and can be shortened to fit.

Note: Both woods have a nice chatoyance. This can make the wood on either the handle or shaft darker, or lighter depending on how the light is hitting it. Try to average out these shades and colors, because in person all are present simultaneously. The handle and shaft on this cane are almost perfect matches in color and shade.

M A T E R I A L S

Handle – Ancient Bog Birch wood from West Africa
Divider – Alaskan Muskox Horn and Brass
Shaft – “Jindai Keyaki” or ancient Japanese elm wood
Rubber tip

For more information on Mt. Chokaisan its volcanic activity, visit this Smithsonian Institute web page: https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=283220

The last image is of Mt. Chokaisan

Every Gillis cane is a photographed original, you’ll always receive the exact cane in the images.