Leaf boat
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: '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:
- folding over the ends of the leaf
- tearing the leaf on both sides alongside of the midrib
- tucking the torn sections into each other to form the prow and stem
- folding a sail and tucking the far end into the stem.