The 500-Year Matcha Whisk Tradition with 20th-Generation Chasen Master Tango Tanimura in Portland

This special event offers a rare opportunity to experience the living tradition behind the matcha whisk.

Visiting from Japan, Tango Tanimura, a 20th-generation Takayama chasen master, will share the story, philosophy, and craftsmanship behind the bamboo whisk used in Japanese tea culture for over 500 years.

Today, there are only 16 officially recognized Takayama chasen masters in Japan, making this a unique opportunity to meet and learn directly from one of the few artisans preserving this historic craft.

Through a live demonstration, guests will witness the remarkable skill required to transform a single piece of bamboo into a finely crafted chasen—an essential tool that shapes the texture and character of matcha.

Hosted as an intimate gathering with limited seating, the event allows guests to experience this rare craft up close and connect with a living tradition that has been carefully passed down from generation to generation for centuries.