 Finding the soul of Japan
Don’t you sometimes want to escape from everyday things into another world? It is good to have little something that heals from daily stress and stimulates your daily routine.
There are many utensils used in tea ceremonies, and most of them are specially designed for the way of tea. This tea set consists of the essential utensils for tea ceremonies. They are a collection of classic designed crafts, all made in Japan.
The main item in the set is the Raku tea bowl. Raku is one of the classics that you want to have if you do "the way of tea". The red-spotted design on the black glaze will fit your modern tea style well. For the other utensils, we selected simply-designed traditional crafts, which can go with any tea bowls and modern styles. As you expand your tea bowl collections, you can have more occasions to take advantage of these utensils.
This tea set is your opportunity to experience a new world of relaxation and refinement. |
 Contents
Red-spotted black Raku tea bowl (Seto ware) 1pc
Solid black Chu-natsume (Echizen lacquer ware) 1pc
Shin tea whisk (Takayama tea whisk) 1pc
Teascoop (Takayama bamboo ware) 1pc
Thin Mino handmade kaishi (60pcs/pkg) (Mino paper) 1pkg |
  Black and red for modern (tea bowl)This is a Seto ware tea bowl. It is hand-made by a pottery firm, Asukagama from Akazu. This piece is coated in black glaze and has a red-spotted design. The design is the most unique aspect of this piece and can match with any modern. It makes a bold impression among the pieces of any tea set.
The potter says that controlling the fire temperature is one of the challenges for making this tea bowl. 10-20 degrees C difference can have a huge effect on the finished piece. If the temperature is too high, the black glaze will melt and get lustered too much, and it also affects the red spotted color. Asukagama has found a technique to produce great textures and colors consistently.
The black accentuates the green of matcha (powdered green tea). The full, rounded shape fits your hands well. It is very comfortable to hold and has a charming feel unique to Raku. It is also big enough to move a tea whisk in easily. There is a seal of Asukagama on the bottom. This can be a great piece in your collection.
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 Raku tea bowlRaku is one of the popular types of tea bowl in "the way of tea". Raku style was established by Rikyu (the most important tea master, from 1552 to 1559). Black or red glazes are used on most Raku works. The Raku tea bowls are usually fired by lower temperature than regular pottery. Therefore, the clay does not get condensed much. It makes the bowls delicate. The delicate nature gives you a warm and rustic impression. Particulary when you hold it, you can appreciate the charm.
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 Pottry studio AsukagamaAkazugama studio is located in Akazu, Seto. The master at Asukagama, Takumi Nakashima, has won many awards for his hand-made pieces over the years. His family has been working as potters since his grandfather’s generation. Asukagama makes great pieces of Oribe, Koseto, and Raku out of clay from the area. |
 Seto wareThis is a high-quality type of ceramics from Seto in Aichi prefecture. Seto ware is so popular in Japan that the term is often used for ceramics in general. This ware originates from the Nara period (710-794), although the techniques, skills, and attributes associated with Seto ware today were established early in the Edo period (1600-1868).
The main pieces produced today include items for tea ceremonies and ikebana, and a variety of dishes used both in homes and premiere Japanese restaurants. Akazu ware is hand-made and top-quality, often praised by collectors and specialists. Akazu is a district in Seto, where many potters still work. The Japanese government recognizes eleven Master Craftsmen in Akazu who are experts in the crafting of these pieces.
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 The presence of a jewel (natsume)The one we present here is one of the classic types of natsume, Chu-natsume. Chu-natsume is the most basic Natsume in size and form. The design is streamlined and accomplished for most formal natsume. We dare to offer the solid black natsume with no decorations. This is because we would like you to enjoy the beauty of the deep black hand painted lacquer. The solid black will make your matcha set stylish and modern. It can match most matcha sets. The simple design highlights other utensils, especially your tea bowls. |
 NatsumeNatsume is a container for thin matcha (powdered green tea). It is used at tea ceremonies. There are many types of Natsume in shapes and colors. Some natsumes have decorative drawings in gold and silver on their surface. They are often detailed and quite beautiful. For casual matcha, you do not need to have a natsume. However, letting a natsume accompany your matcha set can make a big difference at your tea time. Natsumes are recognized as art objects in tea ceremonies, so placing the natsume next to your tea whisk emphasizes your tea sets and brings you more Japanese taste in your tea time.
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 Glorious black of urushi lacquerThe black is the representative color of urushi lacquer. The black is so profoundly deep that the lacquer’s name, urushi, is used to describe anything which is impossibly black in Japanese. The splendid black wares have a smart and slick appearance, and will compliment your urban life. You would be pleased with possessing a precious piece. |
 Japan lacquer wareNowadays, Japanese lacquer ware is crafted from two types of materials and two types of lacquer. The materials are wood and synthetic resin. Wood ware insulates well, and is good for keeping soups and teas hot. It is lightweight and pleasant to the touch. Synthetic resin is stronger against changes in temperature and not easily deformed. It can be used in the refrigerator. It is heavier than wood ware and does not insulate as well. However, synthetic resin ware is usually cheaper than wood ware, so that it can be used casually. The two types of lacquer are urushi and urethane. Urushi is made from the sap of the Urushi tree. It is the best of natural lacquers. The urethane is a synthetic lacquer to imitate urushi. It is not as good as urushi in the touch and smoothness, even though it is tougher against light and heat, and cheaper.
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 Echizen lacquer wareEchizen is found in Ishikawa prefecture and is the home of this particular type of lacquer ware. Its history is believed to begin in the 6th century. The emperor at that time commissioned a lacquerer to re-coat his kanmuri, or formal headgear. In addition to re-coating the kanmuri, the lacquerer also presented the emperor a black lacquered bowl. The emperor was impressed with his work, and it is thought that this encouragement led to the establishment of Echizen lacquer as a special craft.
Several coats of lacquer are applied to each piece and left to harden naturally. Echizen pieces show no brush marks or blemishes, and are well-known for its smooth gloss and quality. Bowls, trays, and stacking boxes are the most common examples of this craft. Currently, the Japanese government recognizes 44 Master Craftsmen of this art.
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 Urbane rounded splines (tea whisk)The tips of the splines are curled like the common tea whisks that you find at other shops. The one we’re providing for you is the shin type. The splines of Shin tea whisks have a moderate curve with a straight tip. It projects a much smarter, more elegant image than ordinary types. Shin tea whisks became the fashion in "the way of tea". This is becoming popular and not only because is it sophisticated in design, but also tough. It lasts longer than ordinary types. This type does not have a thick handle, so it's very easy to hold. An important tool for anyone interested in matcha, this whisk will compliment any tea set with its sleek curves.
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 Tea whiskTea whisks are specially made for making matcha (powdered green tea) in “the way of tea”. There are about 120 different kinds of Takayama tea whisk, varying in shape, material, and number of splines. The craftsmanship during the whittling process is said to have a small effect on the taste of tea. The technique of whittling tea whisks is one of the more challenging traditional crafts of Japan. You will certainly be very impressed by the precision work when you recieve one. |
 The differences of “made in Japan” and othersOne of the major differences between Japanese and other tea whisks is the crafting method. In the process of whittling the spline tips, craftsmen tease off the tips by knife one by one in Japan. Overseas, however, they use files for the process. Using files is easier and faster, but leaves fine scratches on the surface of the tips. They make the whisk more fragile.
The other difference is safety. Preservative or mildew-proofing agents may be used for oversea whisks. In Japan, material bamboos are harvested in the winter and dried for over a year, and then tea whisks are made from them. Therefore, chemicals are not used.
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 White and unique texture bamboo (tea scoop)White color and well-balanced shape strike an accomplished note. The beautiful body arc compliments the even body line. The tip is rounded into a gentle ledge. The uniqueness of the texture on the surface gives the teascoop a special character which is easy to become attached to. |
 Traditional teascoop by Chikusendo from TakayamaMaster of Chikusendo, Sabunn Kubo is a government-recognized master craftsman. He and his craftsmen make perfect and beautiful tea scoops by giving a special arch to the body. Common traditional tea scoops have no-frills decorations, and project the beauty of simplicity only with the material features and shape. Each of these tea scoops is given a unique bamboo gnarl on the middle of the shaft. The unique aspect is a part of the charm of each tea scoop.
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 A town known for its talented craftsmenTakayama in Nara prefecture is the biggest bamboo tea whisk producing center in Japan. They have a 500 year history of studying and practicing their craft. Takayama craftsmen are experienced in bamboo-working and have mastered producing these delicate bamboo crafts, the tea whisks. Takayama tea whisks are the most highly-regarded tea whisks in Japan, and their production is one of the government-recognized traditional crafts of the country. In addition, Takayama produces whisks for coffee and decorative purposes. They have a lot of talented bamboo craftsmen, and have been producing fine bamboo tea scoops which have found favor with many tea masters. |
 Rustic, handmade charm (kaishi)Nowadays, common kaishi is mass manufactured by machines, but this kaishi is traditional handmade Japanese paper. It is a technical challenge to make it so thin. You can almost see though it. It has a natural pulp fiber pattern similar to Japanese classic paper. It is reminiscent of shoji-paper on paper panel doors in a traditional Japanese house. Using premium handmade kaishi is a sign of sophistication, and perfect for tea ceremonies.
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 KaishiKaishi (Japanese paper) is used as a mat to put sweets on, or to wipe the edge of the bowl one has sipped from. People fold and tuck it inside the front or in the sleeve of their kimono at tea ceremonies. However, tea ceremonies are not only occasion to use kaishi. You can use it to decorate tables or plates, or as note paper. |
 Mino paperThe origins of Mino paper are believed to lie in the Nara period (710-794). It is produced by the nagashisuki or tossing method, much like the majority of Japan's handmade paper. This method weaves the fibers extremely tight, resulting in thin but durable paper not unlike cloth. Mino paper is often used in arts such as painting and calligraphy, as well as making gold leaves. It is also good for sliding paper screens often found in Japanese homes. There are 14 Master Craftsmen across 28 firms recognized for their skill and talent for producing Mino paper.
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| | Production region | Dimensions | Weight | Material | Coating / Glaze | | Red-spotted black Raku tea bowl | Seto
(Aichi Japan) | 120*120*h83mm
(4.68*4.68*h3.24in) | 332g
(11.7oz) | Potter's clay | Black glaze | | Solid black Chu-natsume | Echizen
(Fukui Japan) | 67*67*h70mm
(2.6*2.6*h2.73in) | 65g
(2.29oz) | Wood/resin composite | Black urushi lacquer | | Shin tea whisk | Takayama
(Nara Japan) | 55*55*h116mm
(2.15*2.15*h4.52in) | 10g
(0.35oz) | Bamboo | - | | Teascoop | Takayama
(Nara Japan) | 180*12*20mm
(7.02*0.47*0.78in) | 4g
(0.14oz) | Bamboo | - | | Thin Mino handmade kaishi (60pcs/pkg) | Mino
(Gifu Japan) | 175*146mm
(6.83*5.69in) | 34g
(1.2oz) | Paper | - | | NOTE: | These are handmade crafts. Therefore, the ones you purchase are unique, and not exactly the same as shown in pictures (the red spot on tea bowl, bomboo texture, etc.). The wood was dryed and proccesed in Japan. If this is used in a much drier climate for a long time, there will be a chance of cracking. The number of pieces we can provide in a month is limited. |
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