Leaf boat explained

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:

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.

See also

• Caballito de totora
• Reed boat
• Loi Krathong

External links

• Building a Finnish-style leaf boat
• Building a Chinese-style bamboo leaf boat
• Making a cattail boat