Hana-ire (flower holder) by Rikyu (June 95)

takedaisu (shelf with bamboo legs)

The everyday use in Japan of common bamboo and cloth materials is well known. In early tea ceremonies, though, items of ivory, gold or similar materials were often used.  Rikyu's new soan style was based on the rustic beauty of nature, however. He decided, therefore, to use bamboo in the creation of the hishaku,chashaku and chasen (and sometimes the futaoki) as well as a silk fukusa and linen chakin.

hishaku

hishaku with futaoki (lid holder) and kensui (waste water bowl) (Jan 99,15)

The hishaku is a ladle which is used to carry water from the kama or the mizusashi to the chawan, or from the mizusashi to the kama. The go (cup) is made from a single piece of bamboo, while the handle is also made from one piece of ba mboo, with a joint in the middle. Summer and winter hishaku differ slightly in go size and handle end shape; there is also an "in-between" hishaku with a square end, and a formal hishaku where the handle goes into the cup, but these are only for specific special situations.

chashaku

Chashaku made by Rikyu (front and back views)

The chashaku is a scoop which is used to carry matcha from the chaki or chaire to the chawan. It is made from a single piece of bamboo, with a joint in the middle of the handle. Originally the chashaku was made of ivory, but Rikyu preferred the rustic beauty of the bamboo, especially as it deepened in color with decades or centuries of use.

chasen

Susu-dake (smoked bamboo) chasen as displayed in a teabowl
with a chashaku and a chakin in shibori style (Sept 98,14)

The chasen is a whisk which is used to mix the matcha and hot water. It is made from a single piece of bamboo which is cut in a large number of beaters, with a joint in the middle of the handle. The beaters are woven so that some flare out, while others bend inward. Many different types of bamboo are utilized in chasen making; for example, some chasen are made of susudake , or naturally darkened bamboo.

futaoki

Bamboo futaoki with joints in various places (Jan 99, 15)

The futaoki is a small stand for the lid of the kama, or the cup of the hishaku . While it is usually made of ceramic or metal, it can also be made from a single piece of bamboo, with or without the joint. Those used with the furo have the joint near the top, while those used with the ro have the joint nearer the center.

fukusa

fukusa being folded for wiping the chaki

The fukusa is a silk cloth used by the host to wipe utensils in front of the guest. A woman will also use the fukusa to remove the lid of the kama . In addition, occasionally a guest will use a fukusa in handling items to be viewed after the tea has been served.   Though there are many variations, and differences among differing schools of tea, generally in Omotesenke chanoyu a man's fukusa has a deep purple color and a woman's is orange.

dashibukusa

dashibukusa being presented beside koicha

A cousin of the fukusa is the dashibukusa, a silken cloth which is sometimes brightly decorated with brocaded designs. The dashibukusa is used primarily to hold the chawan during koicha, but it can also be utilized as a "carpet" for important objects presented in the tokonoma, or alcove.

shifuku

shifuku carrying chaire (Apr 98, 18)

The shifuku is a bag-like container for a chaire which is made of silken cloth usually brightly decorated with brocade designs. A shifuku will have a small and usually short (though in naga-o, a long) rope used to close the top of the bag. Opening the shifuku and removing the chaire is an integral part of koicha.

chakin

chakin being used to wipe a tsutsujawan (cylindrical tea bowl)

The chakin is a white linen cloth used to wipe the chawan during the tea ceremony. It may also be used by women to remove the lid of the kama. It is specially folded to act as a "carpet" for the chasen when both are carried by the host in the chawan; after it is used, it is refolded in a "bow-tie" shape.