The Emi chasen by Suikaen, handmade in Takayama, Nara - a limited whisk from one of the few workshops still making Takayama chasen by hand. Takayama-cho in Ikoma, Nara, is the historic home of the Japanese matcha whisk, where the craft has been passed down since the Muromachi period, more than 500 years ago.
Emi (笑) means “smile.” This is Suikaen’s Emi chasen, finished with a delicate sakura charm and pink thread. It makes a beautiful gift, or a special upgrade to your daily matcha ritual.
Why this chasen is different
- Made by hand, one at a time. Each whisk is carved from a single piece of bamboo using traditional Takayama methods. It is not mass-produced.
- Carefully prepared bamboo. In the Takayama tradition, bamboo is harvested at two to three years old, has its oil removed, is dried in the winter air, and is then rested before carving.
- Fine, flexible tines. They whisk usucha into a smooth, glossy foam and help prevent clumps.
- Limited quantities. We receive only a small number of these whisks.
How to use
- Soften the tines first. Soak the tips in warm water for 10-20 seconds before whisking.
- Whisk briskly in a “W” motion until a fine foam forms.
- Tip: If the charm rattles lightly, hold it gently while you whisk.
Care and storage
- Rinse with clean water right after use. Do not use detergent.
- Shake off excess water and let the whisk air-dry completely.
- To keep its shape, store it on our whisk holder, which is made to fit this chasen.
Note: Bamboo is a natural material and every whisk is made by hand, so slight variations in color, grain and finish are normal. They are part of what makes each one authentic.
Made in Takayama, by hand
A 500-year whisk-making tradition
Takayama, in the hills of Nara, has been the home of Japanese chasen-making for more than five centuries — since the Muromachi period. The craft is passed down within a small number of families, and today only a handful of traditional makers remain.
These tools are made by the Suikaen family, one of those last traditional Takayama workshops. Each piece is shaped by hand from carefully selected, aged bamboo — cut, split and curved tine by tine in a way machines cannot reproduce. The result is a tool made for real matcha: fine, responsive, and built to whisk a smooth, glossy bowl.
Takayama & Suikaen FAQs
About these handmade bamboo tools
What makes a Takayama chasen special?
Takayama, in Nara, is the historic home of Japanese chasen-making, with skills handed down for over 500 years. Each whisk is carved by hand from a single piece of bamboo by a small number of remaining artisan families — slow, exacting work that mass production cannot replicate.
Who makes these tools?
They are handmade by the Suikaen family in Takayama, one of the last traditional chasen and chashaku makers still working in the town.
How do I care for a handmade bamboo tool?
Before whisking, soak a chasen’s tines briefly in warm water to soften them. After use, rinse bamboo tools in warm water without soap, shake off the excess, and let them air-dry fully — a whisk holder helps a chasen keep its shape. Avoid soap and the dishwasher.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Retail orders ship worldwide from Japan and our regional warehouses; wholesale and OEM orders ship from Japan. See our shipping & returns page for current delivery times and rates.