We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the successful completion of the West Coast tour by Mr. Tango Tanimura.
We are deeply thankful to everyone who participated in the events, as well as to those who were unable to attend but still showed their interest and shared such warm and encouraging messages with us.
The background of this tour stems from the traditional “Takayama chasen” (bamboo tea whisk), which Nara Tea Co. has been handling since its establishment. After learning about the possibility of witnessing the manufacturing process and even experiencing the thread-wrapping technique, we had the opportunity to visit the workshop of Mr. Tango Tanimura in April 2025. Mr. Tanimura is the 20th-generation chasen craftsman and also supplies tea whisks to the Grand Tea Masters of both the Urasenke and Mushakoji Senke schools.
During our visit, we were able to observe every step of the chasen-making process. We were deeply moved by the fact that each piece is carefully handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, and that the Takayama chasen we use in our daily practice has been passed down through more than 530 years of history. Furthermore, we learned that today only 16 houses in Japan continue to preserve this tradition, which made us realize even more strongly its rarity and cultural value.
In Japan, there is a concept called “yō no bi” (the beauty of utility), which expresses the idea that functionality and beauty should be pursued simultaneously. This philosophy is deeply embedded in the making of chasen, where every detail is refined through careful craftsmanship. This sense of beauty is preserved all the way until the product reaches the hands of the customer.
Inspired by this visit, and in the context of the growing matcha boom in the United States, we felt a strong desire not only to share a trend, but to convey the true essence of Japanese culture and the spirit of craftsmanship. This led to the realization of our West Coast tour.
While matcha has gained global popularity in recent years, we have also observed an increase in misinformation and misrepresentation on social media. In response to this, we invited 20th-generation chasen master Mr. Tango Tanimura from Takayama, Nara, with the intention of sharing authentic Japanese culture in a sincere and accurate way.
We were honored to welcome participants from diverse backgrounds, including long-time tea practitioners and those who enjoy matcha lattes in their daily lives. Their engagement, thoughtful questions, and passionate interest made each event deeply meaningful and dynamic. We were truly impressed by the level of curiosity and respect shown toward this tradition. Mr. Tanimura himself was also greatly moved and surprised by the enthusiasm and depth of interest from all attendees.
Matcha is not merely a trend; it is a traditional culture that has been passed down in Japan for centuries, and the chasen is an essential traditional craft within it. We are deeply grateful to be part of preserving and sharing this heritage, which has continued for over 530 years. Nara Tea Co. remains committed to passing on its true value and essence with sincerity and care.