(Keizo Kubo) Takayama tea whisk (chasen) soot bamboo

21.11.2021

What is a Takayama Chasen?

Matcha is known the world over as a superfood. Rich in antioxidants with a profound earthy umami taste, matcha is a must-have for not only tea drinking, but for culinary recipes as well. Most people don't know about the proper preparation of authentic Japanese matcha. The preparation of matcha is practically an art form. Fortunately, this art form is something anybody can learn. All you need is a few supplies to get started.

First things first: get a Takayama Chasen. A Takayama Chasen is a bamboo whisk made specifically for matcha. The history of the Takayama Chasen goes back centuries. You can find our favorite chasen here. Since matcha is such a fine powder, mixing it with a spoon is no easy task. Japanese tea masters had the same struggle over half a millennium ago.

In the 15th century, Takayama Sosetsu created a bamboo whisk suitable to the new style of the Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha and the new style of bamboo whisk was presented to Emperor Gotsuchimikado. Impressed with the beautiful shape of the chasen, he officially referred to it as the Takaho Chasen. The Takaho Chasen inherited the name Takayama Chasen after several name changes.

Kubo Keizo, 72 years old Kubo Tatehiro, Born in Nara Prefecture in 1982 And his wife: Kubo Sachiko, Born in Nara Prefecture in 1983

We visited "Keizo Kubo", a traditional craftsman who runs "Takeshido", the chairman of the Takayama Teahouse Production Cooperative in Nara Prefecture.

Mr. Kubo uses more than 20 craftsmen in addition to his wife and eldest son to make chasen every day.

We had a busy time listening to various stories and taking pictures.

Q, How many teas do you make in a day?

A, about 5 per person.

Also, men have rough work and women have fine work.

Q, How long does it take to make one?

A, 2 to 3 hours to make one

Q, Where do you buy bamboo?

A, Purchase from Shiga prefecture, Kyoto, Shimane.

Previously, it was taken in Takayama Town.

Q, What are you having trouble with?

A, There is no end to it, and there are people who can learn it

That is not.

Also, good ingredients do not come in,

There is no one to cut bamboo.

Q, what do you think of this job?

A, I'm proud.

Because it is Japanese culture, it cannot be crushed.

Thank you for telling us a lot about Chasen, who knows nothing about it.