Takayama Chasen is a bamboo tea whisk for tea ceremony use made in Takayama-cho, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, and is a Traditional Craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. It is said to have originated in the Muromachi period, when Takayama Minbu-no-jo Nyudo Soze, son of the lord of Takayama Castle, devised it at the request of Murata Juko, regarded as the founder of the tea ceremony. The technique has been passed down for over 500 years within a single family line at a time, and today Takayama-cho, Ikoma City, is said to produce the majority of tea whisks distributed in Japan, making it one of the few remaining chasen-producing areas in the country. The main material is hachiku (henon bamboo), along with kurochiku (black bamboo) and susudake (smoke-cured bamboo); every step, from splitting the bamboo to thinly shaving the tines and weaving them together with thread, is done entirely by hand. Shapes and the number of tines vary by school and use, with more than 100 varieties said to exist, making it a tool prized among tea utensils for combining delicate beauty with practicality.
Origin
Takayama Chasen is said to have originated in the Muromachi period, when Takayama Minbu-no-jo Nyudo Soze, second son of the lord of Takayama Castle, created it at the request of Murata Juko, regarded as the founder of the tea ceremony. Soze is said to have presented a whisk he made himself to Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, who admired its delicate craftsmanship and bestowed on it the name 'Takaho.' From then on, the method was protected as a secret passed down within a single family line, carried on as a hereditary trade in Takayama-cho.
History
The technique, once passed down within a single family, spread through the local area from the Meiji era onward and developed into the main industry of Takayama-cho, Ikoma City. Even today, Takayama-cho is said to produce the majority of tea whisks distributed within Japan, making it one of the few remaining chasen-producing areas in the country. In 1975 (Showa 50), its 500-year history and technique were recognized, and it was designated a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Features
The main material is hachiku (henon bamboo), with kurochiku (black bamboo) and susudake (smoke-cured bamboo) also used. The bamboo's outer skin is removed and it is split apart, then the tines are thinly shaved toward the tip in a process called 'ajikezuri' (flavor-shaving), said to be the most difficult step and one that is said to affect the taste of the tea. The number and shape of the tines differ by school and use, and more than 100 varieties are said to exist, making it a delicate bamboo craft.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Skinning and rough splitting
The skin is removed from the upper part of the bamboo node to the tip, and the bamboo is split into 12 to 24 sections with a large splitting knife according to its thickness and the number of tines needed.
- 2
Ajikezuri (flavor-shaving)
The split tines are thinly shaved toward the tip, considered the most technically demanding step.
- 3
Weaving
The tines, divided into inner and outer sets, are woven together with colored thread to complete the whisk's shape.
| Main Production Areas |
|
|---|
Artisans & Workshops
竹茗堂 左文
A long-established Takayama Chasen house continuing since the Muromachi period, now in its 24th generation. It carries out nearly every step by hand, from splitting the bamboo to weaving the threads, and welcomes workshop tours and chasen-making experiences.
Official site →翠華園 谷村弥三郎
A workshop in Takayama-cho, Ikoma City, carrying on 500 years of tea utensil craftsmanship. It shares the appeal of Takayama Chasen through chasen- and chashaku-making experiences, workshop tours, and tea tastings.
Official site →How to Buy
- 生駒市高山竹林園 Shop
- A shop within a park that also houses a museum on the history of Takayama Chasen, where visitors can browse and purchase locally made Takayama Chasen and other tea utensils in person.Where to buy →PR
- 竹茗堂 Web Shop
- An online store run by Chikumeido Sabun. It offers a wide range of tea utensils from across the country, including Ministry-of-Economy-designated Takayama Chasen and chashaku tea scoops.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
翠華園 谷村弥三郎
奈良県生駒市高山町5725
Reservation required. Chasen-making experience (includes matcha and a sweet) from around 4,000 yen; chashaku-making experience from around 4,400 yen.
View details →竹茗堂 左文
奈良県生駒市高山町6439-3
Reservation required. Workshop tour from around 1,000 yen; chasen-making experience from around 4,000 yen (both prices tax excluded).
View details →生駒市高山竹林園
奈良県生駒市高山町3440
Holds live chasen-making demonstrations and a matcha experience every Sunday (except the first Sunday of December and January). Admission is free.
View details →