The purpose of this study was to investigate the extraction conditions and the physicochemical properties of the crude polysaccharides in shiitake (Lentinula edodes), as the application of the polysaccharide products. The studying material was strain 271 of the L. edodes. After treating with high speed homogenizer, the L. edodes were extracted at 80, 90 and 100℃ for 1 to 3h. It was found that the highest yield of polysaccharides could raise 3.4 times than that of untreated samples. The crude polysaccharides were then tested for the polysaccharide content, viscosity and molecular weight distribution. The polysaccharides contents of the crude polysaccharides in L. edodes were 28.61-128.69mg/g sample (dry basis). The viscosity (measured concentration of 10mg/mL) and molecular weight of the crude polysaccharides were 0-16.7cP and 120-540 kDa, respectively.