In case of madake, two to three year-old sannenndake (three year-old bamboo) are chosen and then among them, only madake that fit the criteria depending on its joint length, the distances between joints, diameter and curvature, are chosen for the bow material.
真竹は三年竹と呼ばれる芽が出てから2年〜3年目の竹を選び、さらにその中から節間、節の高さ、直径、曲がり等条件に合うものだけが選ばれる。