*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a Banko-ware iron glaze kusenaoshi and a ‘shimitake’ chashaku from Nara.  The shaper’s job is to help your chasen maintain its shape whilst drying. After the tea whisk is dried it should be stored in a chasen zutsu. Care should be taken when placing your chasen on the shaper. Not placing the tines properly may result in broken ends.   The tea whisk is the shimitake type, which means stained bamboo.  It was crafted in Takayama and features dark patches of colour.  **The shading and pattern of the spots will vary depending on the product.

Banko-ware refers to pottery made in Mie Prefecture. It is characterized by a dark rusty colour and is made by mixing iron-rich clay with yellow clay. The colour variation is due to low oxygen levels and incomplete combustion when firing. Decorations are generally very simple, and done while the clay is still wet. Banko-ware is well-known for its durability and resistance to high temperatures.

Takayama refers to bamboo tea utensils produced in the Takayama district of Ikoma city in Nara Prefecture.  Local craftspeople have been producing bamboo tea utensils since the Muromachi period, and presently this area remains one of the leading producers of chasen in all of Japan.  Bamboo is sourced locally and utensils are produced by highly skilled certified artisans.  There are three types of bamboo – white, black and susutake soot bamboo.  After bamboo is cut its dried for around 1-2 years before it is crafted into utensils.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Sizes

Kusenaoshi:  H.7cm (2.7”)

Chashaku:  L.18cm (7”)

Condition

Both items are brand new and unused.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.