chasen kazuho

This shiratake white bamboo Kazuho Chasen (matcha whisk)was made in Takayama, Nara by Kubo Sabun of Chikumeido.

Chikumeido Sabun is one of the most honored Tea-whisk manufacturers in Japan, with traditions and expertise that stretch back over 500 years.

Chikumeido is headed by Kubo Sabun, a 24th generation chasen maker who has carried on his family's old tradition and is one of the only 18 remaining chasen masters. These chasens are made from locally grown bamboo in the small village of Takayama in northwest Nara prefecture, famed as the only chasen making village in Japan.

The present head of the household is the 24th generation, Kubo Sabun. Kubo Sabun has presented his craft internationally at the Louvre in Paris, the United Nations Ambassador's residence in New York and at the "Japan House" in London.

In 1987 he was recognized as a traditional master craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry of Japan. Later, in 2015, he was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun". The kazuho shape is the most basic style of chasen. Compared to the shin kazuho it has straighter tines that are tightly curled at the tip. Like the shin, the kazuho has roughly 64 tines, and sits in between dedicated usucha  chasen which have lots of thin tines, and dedicated koicha chasen, which have fewer but thicker tines.

This makes kazuho-type chasen suitable both for whipping up a fine, foamy usucha and kneading a thick, rich koicha.

Unlike mass-produced matcha chasens, these chasen are entirely handmade, without the use of machines or chemicals to expedite the bamboo growing, drying, or shaping processes, requiring immense time and skill to craft. As such, Takayama chasen have finer, more flexible tines and a greater attention to detail, which not only makes them more beautiful, but also easier and more enjoyable to use and more durable in the long run.

Dimensions:

6.2cm (2.4in)

11.5cm (4.5in)

Proper Tea Whisk Handling
How to use Chasen:

The Chasen and the paper box/mount are glued together with a paste made from rice.For the paper box case, please hold the handle and slowly take it off.

Then, wipe off the bottom part of the handle with a wet cloth.

For the plastic case, gently lift up the central bristles of the Chasen and gently take off the base paper and wipe off the bottom of the handle with a wet cloth.

After removing the Chasen, rinse it gently with hot water before use.

Chasen is susceptible to artificial temperature changes such as air conditioning, and should be used in a place where it is not exposed to direct wind. And please do not press Chasen against the bottom of a tea bowl, the tip may break off. Handled gently, the tea whisk will last longer.

Proper Tea Whisk Storage

How to store Chasen after use:

Please do not use dishwashers or dish dryers, may cause breakage due to sudden changes in temperature and humidity.

After use, rinse the Chasen with hot water and allow it to dry naturally before storing it away from high temperature, high humidity and direct sunlight. (Appropriate humidity for storage: 40 to 60%)

In addition, the natural drying process may cause vertical cracks,but please enjoy the change in expression and texture as the original flavor of natural bamboo.

Shipping within Japan

Shipping Company: JAPAN POST 

Shipping Cost:

All orders 1100 yen (free over 20,000yen)

Gifts 850yen (free over 20,000yen). 

Included, ribbon and message card. 

Shipping Date: All orders will be shipped 1-5 days from the order date. Please check item page for stock availability - if an order is placed on an item that is not in stock, we will ship the total order once it is. 

Note: In case you are not present at the time of delivery, please retrieve your package from the shipping company within 7 days. If your package is returned to KITSUNE, we will cancel your order but shipping costs will not be refunded. 

Paperless: We do not include a paper invoice in the package. Please help us conserve paper by checking your confirmation email.

International Shipping

There are some regions where delivery is unavailable. Please contact us through our inquiry form to check if shipping is possible. 

Shipping Company : JAPAN POST / EMS

Usually we are using the courier of EMS which is operating Japan post.
But recently, they stopped the shipment toward some country, so if we face the situation, we will use Yamato Transport Co., LTD which is one of the biggest and most reliable couriers in Japan instead of EMS.

Shipping Cost: Shipping calculated at checkout.

Shipping Date: All orders will be shipped 1-7 days from the order date. Please check item page for stock availability - if an order is placed on an item that is not in stock, we will ship the total order once it is. 

Note: In case you are not present at the time of delivery, please retrieve your package from the shipping company within 7 days. If your package is returned to KITSUNE, we will cancel your order but shipping costs will not be refunded. 

Note: We cannot take responsibility for the package once it is handed over to the shipping company. Thank you for your understanding. 

Please check the contents of the product within 7 days of its arrival. If something happen, please email attached the picture of the problem us if there are any problems.
Depending on the contents, we will basically send you a substitute product at the next delivery.  me description.

There has always been nothing as difficult as a purchase agreement. If a problem arises, both parties will work honestly to resolve the issue based on the principle of faith and trust.

Order Cancellation:
We apologize, but cancellations are not accepted. The only exception to a cancellation is if the order is returned to us due to inability of delivery. In this case, we will cancel the order but the shipping fee is not refunded. 

We share inventory with our physical stores, so there may be instances where we are unable to fulfil an order. We ask in advance for your understanding. 

[Contact]
You can e-mail us directly at marina@kitsuniq.jp OR fill out the Contact form on our website (Include in message body: Full Name, Item Name, Purchase Date, Order Number)