Beschreibung

Handmade Takayama Chasen (Bamboo whisk for Matcha). Originating from Takayama, Ikoma City, in Japan's Nara Prefecture, chasen or matcha bamboo brooms have a history dating back over 500 years. The roots of the Takayama Chasen date back to the Muromachi era (1336 - 1573), where the craft was strictly passed down to each successor, usually from father to son. Amazingly, the modern design of the chasen is still based on the historical model created by the son of the Yamato Takayama prince. Today, the region produces over 90% of the chasen in Japan and is considered the birthplace of the chasen.

Each whisk is handmade by an artisan, with each tine carved and shaped with a small knife and fixed with thread. The bamboo is sourced from the mountains of Hyogo, Nara and Kyoto, where it grows incredibly strong and robust. There are no preservatives or anti-mould agents used as the bamboo is dried for a whole year after harvesting in winter.

Enjoy this culturally rich chasen or matcha bamboo whisk for your daily matcha consumption, be it matcha neat or matcha au lait by whisking hot milk with matcha. They add a traditional and timeless beauty to any home, and have a long history in their design.

Each whisk is made from a single piece of raw bamboo and therefore features unique variations.

Care instructions:

Avoid soaking in water, hand wash with mild soap ,do not expose to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time; product may discolour and/or warp.

Story

It all began in 1898 when Kenzo Kosuga founded Kosuga Shoten, a wholesale business specialising in bamboo products in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. To meet the needs of his customers, Kosuga worked with local artisans to produce a variety of bamboo products and received numerous awards and recognitions for his work.

During World War II, the second generation, Chojiro Kosuga, managed to escape the fires in Tokyo and relocated to Kyoto in 1949. As Kyoto was known as the centre of traditional Japanese art and culture, he hoped to develop the artistry of his bamboo craft. He worked closely with many different bamboo craftsmen, developing the company's craftsmanship and variety of bamboo goods, and eventually transformed his business from a wholesaler to a manufacturer.

Finally, in 1971, Kohchosai Kosuga, the company we know and love today, was founded in honour of one of the family's ancestors, an Edo period artist, Kohcho Ueda, who inspired the company's design aesthetic. With each generation, Kohchosai Kosuga evolved and adapted to modern times while maintaining traditional techniques. Hailing from Kyoto, the fifth generation studio combines traditional moulding techniques with modern design concepts. The bamboo, sourced locally in the outskirts of Kyoto, is light and robust.