Patina stained bamboo tea ladle by Ippodo Tea
Patina stained bamboo tea ladle by Ippodo Tea - thumbnail 1 Hand holding a set of five wooden tea ladles with various finishes and colors against a light gray background - thumbnail 2 Mahogany brown curved matcha tea ladle utensil on a light gray background - thumbnail 3
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Matcha Ladle (Chashaku) – Patina

Utensils
(6)
$25

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A bamboo tea ladle (chashaku) with a unique patina. Use a chashaku for scooping and measuring matcha powder.

Size0.4" × 7.3" × 0.2"
MaterialBamboo
OriginJapan

Note: This utensil is made one-by one, and each one is unique, with variations in color and aesthetic. Images are only for general reference. Enjoy the beauty of the one-of-a-kind piece you receive!

To make this ladle, artisans use bamboo that has developed a patina. Each ladle has different mottling and coloration, from light khaki green to dark amber brown, that develop in the bamboo through its growth and the aging processes after harvest.

While functionally this patinaed chashaku is the same as the plain version, we recommend this one for those who will appreciate how a ladle with interesting, one-of-a-kind beauty adds to their daily matcha routine.

The chashaku is a ladle or a scoop designed specifically for matcha. Its curved tip and its sharp, nearly 90-degree angle help us reach into narrow matcha containers and pull out the right amount of powder. It also feels nice to use, as the bamboo material is soft to the touch.

Each is meticulously carved and shaped from one piece of bamboo. Since bamboo is a natural material, the appearance and shape of each chashaku will slightly vary.

The chashaku is one of the tools used in the matcha tea ceremony. Our version is a comfortable, functional one meant for daily use rather than formal ceremonies.

In a world where everything is done to precise measurement, making matcha with a chashaku is beautifully imprecise. For a classic serving of usucha (standard matcha), we measure one and a half heaping ladles of matcha powder, which is about 2 g. Some days, our measurements will be bigger, and some days, they will be smaller. We appreciate the unique beauty of each and every matcha drink that results.

Care Instructions

Follow these tips to keep your Chashaku in optimal condition.
https://ippodotea.com/blogs/recipes-to-brew-japanese-tea/chashaku-pointers

Follow these tips to keep your Chashaku in optimal condition.

  1. • How to Clean
    Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth or tissue after use.
    Tissue sticking out of plain turquoise tissue box against bright yellow background - Chashaku (Tea Ladle) Care
  2. • No rinsing!
    Do not use water or soap when cleaning. A wet chashaku will absorb matcha powder.
    Black prohibition sign or 'no' sign over icon of blue water droplet - Chashaku (Tea Ladle) Care

Note: Avoid Heat. Do not store next to heat sources, as they can cause the chashaku to lose its shape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does matcha stick to the back of the chashaku?

Chashaku are natural products, handcrafted from bamboo. The front side (the side used to scoop the matcha) is the outer skin of the bamboo, which is naturally smooth. In contrast, the back side is the inner part of the bamboo stalk, so it is not as smooth and has a slightly rougher texture.

Because of these natural characteristics of bamboo, matcha powder tends to stick more easily to the back of the chashaku. Some matcha residue often remains on the back, even after careful wiping.

What gives the patina ladle its patina?

This bamboo tea ladle (chashaku) is meticulously crafted by artisans in Takayama, Nara Prefecture using susudake (smoke-stained bamboo) or shimidake (aged bamboo).

Susudake is bamboo that comes from the ceilings of traditional Japanese thatched roof homes that have sunken fireplaces. It develops its dark brown patina from hundreds of years of fireplace smoke wafting over it. The smoked bamboo does not have a smoky smell at all.

Shimidake is bamboo with patterns of brown spots on it that develop as it grows. The shimidake develops these patterns only once in a long cycle, even 100 years or so, when the bamboo trees flower.

Both provide a different type of beauty from shiratake (bamboo used for the plain ladle). You will not know whether the tea ladle is made from susudake or shimidake until it is delivered. Look forward to your tea ladle as a truly once-in-a-lifetime encounter.