Japanese Bamboo Matcha Whisk (Chasen) 百本立 — 100 Bristle

A chasen is the bamboo whisk used to whip matcha into a smooth, frothy bowl of tea. This one from Cesa Beams is carved from purple bamboo, a darker and less common bamboo than the pale white kind most whisks are made from. Each whisk is split into 100 fine prongs and finished by hand, one at a time. The prongs are flexible but springy, so a quick zig-zag motion builds a thick, creamy foam without much effort. At about 10–11 cm long, it's a standard size that suits most matcha bowls. Rinse it in warm water after use and rest it on a chasen holder so the prongs dry evenly and keep their shape. Note that this item is for the whisk only. The holder is not included.