The title of this cane is quite a mouthful! Allow me to explain the fascinating stories of these ancient woods. First is the handle, its been about 5 years since I have offered any ancient Tasmanian myrtle in my work. This is some of the nicest quilted figured ancient wood I’ve been able to source. It was recovered by hand (with chains and a landrover) out of a bog in the Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania. The same source as my ancient Tasmanian blackwood I offer occasionally. This material is several thousand years old! Preserved within the bog because its an oxygen deprived environment.

The shaft is another ancient wood, one with a more explosive story: Its Jindai Nire wood, or one of the Japanese elm species. 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 vibrant amboyna burl divider and brass. 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.

M A T E R I A L S

Handle – Ancient Bog Myrtle wood from Tasmania
Divider –Amboyna burl from S. E. Asia and Brass
Shaft – “Jindai Nire” 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.