Bamboo, the versatile and resilient plant, has been an inspiration for artists and craftsmen throughout Asia for centuries.

Revered for its simplicity, resilience, and strength, bamboo embodies the virtues that were held in the highest regards by ancient Chinese gentlemen.

Known as one of the "Three Friends of Winter" along with plum blossoms and pine in Chinese art, it has come to symbolize strength and perseverance for its natural qualities as well as practical uses in everything from bridge-building to paper-making. This versatility of bamboo has inspired artists to incorporate it into their paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy. Some of the most celebrated bamboo artworks in Asia include "Bamboo Grove" by Hasegawa Tohaku and "Bamboo in the Four Seasons" by Zhao Mengfu.

In porcelain, bamboo is often decorated using a technique called underglaze, which once fired, creates an effect that resemble how calligraphy would appear on paper, softly and elegantly yet infinitely more durable.