Called Takesumi or Chikutan in Japanese, bamboo charcoal burnt at high temperatures exhibits properties vastly different from the bamboo plant, including a high density and porous structure.

 

The many cavities of bamboo charcoal can attach different substances to their walls, and then release them later. For example, they can absorb moisture from humid air, and then release it during dry conditions. This makes it an excellent humidity regulator. It also has high mineral content such as calcium, potassium, sodium and iron. 

 

Bamboo charcoal has other benefits, too: it absorbs unpleasant room odours and harmful substances, generates negative ions that will put people in a better frame of mind, and emits far-infrared that helps to improve blood circulation.