{"product_id":"chasen-by-suikaen","title":"MAI CHASEN by YASABURO TANIMURA","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe traditional tea whisks of Takayama are an excellent example of simplicity and superb attention to detail. Beyond the goosebumps that are due when you hold an item crafted by a family with a 530 year history devoted to a single art, you will find that these whisks perform incredibly well when you prepare your favourite drink.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMAI (舞) is proof that a modern art piece can be anchored in tradition; in the latest generation, Tanimura San developed this elegant piece that whisks a most impressive bowl of tea.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_9866_480x480.jpg?v=1697765951\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Brief History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTakayama has been the most important origin for chasen since the Muromachi period (1336-1573).   The legend reports that Juko Murata, known as the first 'wabi-cha' tea practitioner,  commissioned a batch of whisks from a local bamboo artisan:  Minbunojo Nyudo Sosetsu Takayama. Murata gifted the whisks made by Takayama to Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, who was fascinated.  The whisks that you hold today are made in a very similar way!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tanimura Family\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYasaburo Tanimura (25th generation) is the current head of a family enterprise that was created half a millennium ago. He is one of fewer than 20 master 'shokunin' recognized by the Japanese government to preserve this ancient art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_9849_480x480.jpg?v=1697765972\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Process\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e原竹 (Haratake):  the artisan harvests bamboo of the right dimensions during the cold season; he boils the bamboo and allows it to dry outdoors (exposed to the sun, wind and winter cold) for a couple of months.  Finally, the bamboo is aged over 2-3 years in the shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e片木 (Katagi).  On the top part of the bamboo (which will become a whisk), the artisan uses a very sharp divide the stalk in 16 parts; each is split in two layers, keeping the outer one and discarding the one inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e小割 (Kowari).  The artisan splits each section into much smaller bristles, which are then carefully separated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e味削り (Ajikezuri).  The shokunin uses boiling water to soften and then shape the whisk.  Needless to say, this process is extremely difficult. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e面取り (Mentori).  This process is there refinement of each bristle.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e下編み (Shitaami).  Every chasen has a thread woven between the handle and the bristles.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e上編み (Uwaami).  Addition of two additional threads at the same location.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e仕上げ (Shiage). This is the refinement process, where the artisan give the final shape the to the bristle tips and corrects any imperfections.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_9864_480x480.jpg?v=1697765966\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_9862_480x480.jpg?v=1697765958\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note:  each chasen is glued to the inside of the box with a paste made from rice, please be gentle when removing it. After removing the chasen, give the base a wipe to remove any left-over glue and rinse with warm water before you begin.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39964487516248,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/national-chasen-by-suikaen-165758.heic?v=1784152496","url":"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/chasen-by-suikaen","provider":"O5 RARE TEA BAR","version":"1.0","type":"link"}