UTENSILS FOR THE TEA CEREMONY

Chawan, Chasen, Chashaku & Matcha Accessories from Japan at Kasumiya

At Kasumiya you will find original utensils for the tea ceremony – many directly from Japan, some vintage or from the antique business of our family in Nagoya:

Chawan 茶碗 – handcrafted matcha bowls

Chasen 茶筅 – bamboo tea whisks for frothing

Chashaku 茶杓 – traditional matcha scoops

Natsume 棗 & Chaire 茶入 – tea caddies for matcha

Chakin & Fukusa – cloths for cleaning & ritual handling

Hishaku 柄杓 – bamboo water ladles

You can find our current tea ceremony and matcha utensils in our
eBay shop in the category “Tea Ceremony & Matcha Utensils”
(e.g. subcategories “Chawan & Bowls”, “Chasen & Chashaku”, “Tea Caddies & Cloths”).

What belongs to a tea ceremony set?

For a simple but complete matcha preparation in the Japanese style you usually need:

Chawan – the tea bowl in which the matcha is prepared and from which it is drunk

Chasen – the whisk used to beat matcha and water into a fine, creamy tea

Chashaku – the scoop used to measure the tea powder

Natsume or Chaire – the caddy in which matcha is kept ready for the ceremony

Chakin & Fukusa – cloths for cleaning the bowl and utensils

Hishaku – the water ladle used to scoop water from the kettle

In traditional schools, more utensils are added (e.g. kensui, kama, furo), but with these basics you are well equipped for home and many practice situations.

For whom are tea ceremony utensils suitable?

The utensils from Kasumiya are ideal for:

matcha lovers who want more than just powder in a shaker

people interested in the Japanese tea ceremony (Sadō/Chadō)

dōjōs, yoga and meditation spaces that want to create a harmonious tea corner

tea schools, tea masters & students looking for original pieces

everyone who appreciates mindful rituals, craftsmanship and Japanese aesthetics

Whether you are just starting with matcha or want to deepen your tea ceremony setup – the right selection of utensils makes a noticeable difference.

Chawan 茶碗 – matcha bowls with character

The chawan is much more than just a bowl:

It determines how you hold the tea in your hands – wide rim, warm walls, weight in your palms.

The inner shape influences how easily you can whisk matcha.

Glaze and surface determine how the bowl feels and how the tea appears inside it.

There are different shapes, for example:

deeper, more closed bowls – ideal for winter, keeping the tea warm longer

wider, flatter bowls – more for summer, the tea cools down a bit faster

rustic, intentionally “imperfect” glazes (wabi-sabi) and very smooth, elegant variants

What to look for?

bowl should sit comfortably in both hands

inner shape not too angular so matcha can be whisked easily

material: usually ceramics – denser, heavier or lighter depending on the style

At Kasumiya you will find handcrafted chawan from Japan, some signed, some vintage – each a one-of-a-kind piece with its own character.

Chasen 茶筅 – bamboo tea whisk for creamy matcha

The chasen is the tool that creates the texture of your matcha:

made from a single piece of bamboo, finely cut and split into tines

the number and shape of the tines influence the foam – finer tines = finer foam

There are:

standard chasen for usucha (thin matcha, the most commonly enjoyed style)

variants with more or fewer tines (e.g. 80, 100, 120), depending on school and preference

Use & tips:

soak briefly in warm water before use – this makes the tines more flexible

whisk matcha with a loose, quick “M” motion, not stirring like coffee

rinse with water only after use, no detergent

At Kasumiya you will find bamboo chasen from Japan, suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners.

Chashaku 茶杓 – bamboo matcha scoop

The chashaku is not only used for dosing – it is also part of the choreography:

carved from bamboo, with a curved tip to scoop the powder

depending on school, a little straighter or more curved, sometimes with a visible node

Function:

matcha is scooped with the chashaku from the natsume/chaire into the chawan

the number of “scoops” determines the amount – traditionally 2–3 scoops for usucha

What to look for?

smooth surface without splinters

pleasant length for both caddy and bowl

no cracks in the bamboo

At Kasumiya you get classic chashaku, some simple, some with their own distinctive shape – each piece handmade.

Natsume 棗 & Chaire 茶入 – tea caddies with style

Natsume and chaire keep matcha ready during the ceremony:

Natsume

usually made of wood with lacquer (urushi), round or slightly conical

often used for usucha (thin matcha)

the name “natsume” comes from the shape, reminiscent of a jujube fruit

Chaire

small caddy, usually ceramic or porcelain

traditionally placed in a fabric pouch (shifuku)

often used for koicha (thick matcha)

What to look for?

lid should close well but not stick

interior clean, dry and free of foreign smells

for lacquerware: surface without major scratches or chipping

Kasumiya offers original natsume and chaire, from simple to ornate, some vintage with visible history.

Chakin & Fukusa – inconspicuous but essential

Chakin 茶巾

cloth, usually linen or cotton

used for cleaning the chawan during the ceremony

folded to allow defined movements

Fukusa 袱紗

cloth, usually silk or fine fabric

used to ritually clean or “purify” natsume, chashaku & co.

colour and folding style can vary depending on school and role (host/guest)

What to look for?

chakin: absorbent, keeps its shape, easy to fold

fukusa: fine fabric, clean edges, pleasant in the hand

At Kasumiya you will find chakin and fukusa, some in traditional colours and handmade – ideal for the tea ceremony or as a stylish addition to your tea corner.

Hishaku 柄杓 – bamboo water ladle

The hishaku connects kettle, water basin and chawan:

classic water ladle with bamboo handle and round scoop

used to scoop hot water from the kettle (kama) and, if needed, cold water from the fresh water basin

the sound of the water while pouring is part of the atmosphere in the tearoom

What to look for?

cleanly finished bamboo, no sharp edges

handle and scoop firmly joined

length suited to your kettle/setup

At Kasumiya you can get traditional bamboo hishaku that complete your tea space both visually and functionally.

How can you recognise good quality in tea utensils?

In general:

materials: bamboo, ceramics, wood, lacquer and fabrics should feel high-quality, not cheap or “plastic-like”

craftsmanship: small irregularities are normal in handmade items – what matters is that form and function fit together

balance & feel: bowl rests well in the hand, chasen feels light and controllable, hishaku can be guided calmly

In detail:

chawan: no cracks, stable base, smooth rim

chasen: no broken or strongly bent tines when new

natsume/chaire: lid moves smoothly, not crooked or too loose

cloths: no large weaving defects, neatly finished edges

What should you consider when buying?

Ask yourself before buying:

What will you use the utensils for?

daily matcha at home

occasional tea ceremony with guests

practice as part of a tea school

starter set or focused collecting?

For a start, it’s enough to have: chawan + chasen + chashaku + one caddy

Later you can add natsume/chaire, fukusa, hishaku and additional bowls.

New, vintage or antique?

new pieces: usually robust for everyday use

vintage/antique: more character and history, but sometimes more delicate – perfect for collectors and enthusiasts

Care & storage – so your utensils last a long time

Chawan & ceramics

clean only with warm water, no harsh cleaners

let dry thoroughly, do not leave standing in water

do not put in dishwasher or microwave

Chasen & chashaku

rinse with clear water after use

let dry upright or on a chasen holder

do not soak for long periods, do not dry on a heater

Natsume & chaire

keep the inside always dry

store matcha for everyday use in its original packaging/tea tin, fill natsume/chaire for the ceremony

no aggressive cleaning agents, just wipe gently

Chakin & fukusa

wash chakin by hand or on a delicate cycle, depending on material

fukusa (especially silk) should be carefully aired and cleaned gently

Hishaku

dry after use, do not leave permanently in water

protect from direct sun and excessive heat (bamboo can crack)

What does Kasumiya specifically offer in the area of tea ceremony?

In the eBay shop of Kasumiya you will find – depending on current stock:

Chawan 茶碗 – handcrafted matcha bowls from various regions of Japan

Chasen 茶筅 – bamboo whisks suitable for usucha and everyday use

Chashaku 茶杓 – classic bamboo scoops, some hand-carved and signed

Natsume 棗 & Chaire 茶入 – original tea caddies, some with lacquerware, others as ceramic pieces

Chakin & Fukusa – cloths for cleaning and ritual handling

Hishaku 柄杓 – bamboo water ladles for a complete tea set

The Japanese tea ceremony – 茶道 (Sadō / Chadō) – is a path of mindfulness: heating the water, sifting the matcha, cleansing the bowl, whisking the tea, serving in silence.
Every movement is intentional – and every utensil is made to support these gestures.