leaf boat

File:Round-sail type iris boats.JPG

File:Straight-sail type iris boat.JPG

File:vassb3.jpg

A leaf boat is a traditional toy made in various parts of the world using nothing but a leaf. Various types of leaves are used depending on the area, most commonly flag iris, reed leaves and bamboo leaves.

Names in other languages

  • Finnish: kaislavene 'reed boat'
  • German: Schilfblattboot 'reed leaf boat'
  • Japanese: 竹葉舟 'bamboo leaf boat' or 笹の葉舟 'sasa leaf boat'
  • Chinese: {{zh| t=竹葉舟| s= 竹叶舟| hp=zhúyèzhōu|cy=jūk yihp jāu}} 'bamboo leaf boat'
  • Scottish Gaelic: bàta-siolastair 'iris boat'
  • Spanish: barco de hoja de caña 'reed leaf boat'
  • Swedish: vassbåt 'reed boat'

Process

In most cases, the process of the more complex boats involves:

  1. folding over the ends of the leaf
  2. tearing the leaf on both sides alongside of the midrib
  3. tucking the torn sections into each other to form the prow and stem
  4. folding a sail and tucking the far end into the stem.

File:Making a leaf boat.webm

See also