SUSUTAKE "SOOTED BAMBOO" CHASHAKU | TANIMURA YASABURO

The traditional tea crafted of Takayama are an excellent example of simplicity and superb attention to detail. Beyond the goosebumps that are due when you hold an item crafted by a family with a 530 year history devoted to a single art, you will find that these chashaku are excellent tools for your tea practice.

SUSUTAKE (煤竹茶杓) is aged bamboo, often reclaimed from old homes where the wood has been weathered by smoke.  You are holding a piece of history!

A Brief History

Takayama has been the most important origin for chasen since the Muromachi period (1336-1573).   The legend reports that Juko Murata, known as the first 'wabi-cha' tea practitioner,  commissioned a batch of whisks from a local bamboo artisan:  Minbunojo Nyudo Sosetsu Takayama. Murata gifted the whisks made by Takayama to Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, who was fascinated.  The whisks that you hold today are made in a very similar way!

The Tanimura Family

Yasaburo Tanimura (25th generation) is the current head of a family enterprise that was created half a millennium ago. He is one of fewer than 20 master 'shokunin' recognized by the Japanese government to preserve this ancient art.

Please note:  each chasen is glued to the inside of the box with a paste made from rice, please be gentle when removing it. After removing the chasen, give the base a wipe to remove any left-over glue and rinse with warm water before you begin.