At first glance, it resembles one of those head massagers—the kind with a firm handle and thin prongs that glide over the scalp. Except the chasen kubo is made of bamboo, and its "prongs" are flat. Somewhere between a tiny rake and a kitchen whisk, who would guess that in Japan it's a tea utensil?

Judging by its natural, handcrafted appearance, it's clear that the chasen kubo isn't a recent gadget, but rather a thoroughly traditional instrument. Its purpose? The chasen kubo has a specific function: whisking matcha. The wrist movement is essential. Indeed, it's through a quick flick of the wrist that the green tea powder is agitated in a small amount of water. The dexterity of the hand behind the chasen kubo allows for a fine emulsion, worthy of Japanese tea ceremonies.

The appearance of the chasen kubo is so simple that one would hardly suspect the significant role artistry and craftsmanship involved. And yet, for over 25 generations, chasen of the Kubo type have been handcrafted from local bamboo grown in northern Tokyo. To achieve the final result, a single piece of bamboo is used, carved and hollowed out. No assembly, no gluing: if a craftsman's hand slips, they must start again from a different piece of bamboo.
The general process is mechanical, a habit that allows each craftsman to make around five a day: drying the bamboo, then scraping it, then splitting it, and finally wrapping the strips around a thread, giving it its curved shape. The movements remain the same – assured, confident, patient. And yet, each chasen kubo is unique.