Suikaen Tanimura Yasuburo: Shichiku Bamboo Shin Chasen - Christmas Thread

Suikaen (翠華園), led by master craftsman Tanimura Yasuburo in Takayama, Nara, has been crafting bamboo whisks for over five centuries, tracing back to Tea Master Sen no Rikyu’s era. From bamboo growth to natural drying and handcrafting, the Tanimura family preserves this rich tradition while exploring ways to adapt it for the modern world.

Shin - "True" - this style of whisk does not have curled tips. Curled tips indicate that the whisk is new and prevent the tips from breaking off before use. Once the curled tips are uncurled by soaking in hot water, they should look the these "shin" whisks Leaving the tips uncurled as new whisks means they need to be handled with extra care. They are made to have approximately 70 prongs.

Before you use:

The Chasen is attached to its paper box with a rice-based adhesive. To remove the Chasen, gently grasp the handle and carefully peel it away from the box. After that, use a damp cloth to clean the underside of the handle.

Important: Before using the Chasen, it’s advisable to briefly soak it in hot water to help prevent the delicate prongs from breaking.

Please be aware that during transportation, the base may detach from the box due to movement.

Care Instructions & Precautions:
The tips of the Chasen are delicate and may break if pressed too hard against the bottom of the tea bowl. To preserve its quality, avoid using dishwashers or dryers, as sudden changes in temperature and humidity can cause cracks.

After use, rinse the Chasen with water and ensure it is thoroughly dried before storing. Store the Chasen in a location that avoids extreme temperatures, high humidity, dry conditions, and direct sunlight. The ideal humidity for storage is between 45% and 60%. 

Be aware that natural drying can lead to vertical cracks in the handle, which can be seen as a unique feature of the bamboo's natural character.

Dimensions: H: 11 cm, diameter of handle: 1.8 cm

New: Made in Japan - Takayama, Nara