Glass Kusenaoshi Whisk Shaper
SuikaenThis glass chasen kusenaoshi (茶筅くせ直し - bamboo whisk reshaper) is designed to restore the shape of your matcha whisk. The smooth glass allows the chasen tines to glide smoothly across it without snagging.
Often called ‘whisk rests’ (茶筅休) or ‘whisk stands’, (茶筅立) our preferred term for these tools is kusenaoshi (くせ直し) as they are primarily designed to ‘correct’ the shape of chasen, rather than for storage. To use a kusenaoshi, soak the whisk in warm water as you would when making matcha. Then, press the whisk into the kusenaoshi, gently but firmly, splaying the outer tines, and forcing the inner tines together as desired. Only do this with a wet whisk as bamboo becomes more pliable with heat and moisture.
While you can kusenaoshi to store whisks, we generally recommend allowing chasen to dry standing up so that no mould develops on the tines.
This product fits the outer tines of most chasen. To shape the inner tines of your chasen, you'll want a wooden whisk shaper.
Made in Japan. Ships from the United States.
Width: 5.9 cm (2.3 in)
Height: 8.8 cm (3.5 in)
Please note: this piece is handmade and there is significant variation between patterns.
Suikaen is headed by Yasaburo Tanimura (谷村弥三郎), a 25th generation chasen maker who has carried on his family's 500 year old tradition and is one of the only 18 remaining chasen masters. These chashaku are made from locally grown bamboo in the small village of Takayama (高山) in northwest Nara prefecture.
Yasaburo-san's son and daughter-in-law, Kei and Yumi, manage many of their family business' operations and work to continue their craft and heritage.
