The craft of making a quality tea whisk starts with Raw bamboo, known as Genchiku, cut and scraped down to remove the skin. Then, a process called Hegi occurs, where the stripped bamboo is split, bent, and cut away to form the splines of the whisk. The splines are then further cut down into 160 equal tines in a step called Kowari, and then dipped into hot water, thinned, and shaped during Aji Kezuri. Incredibly intricate chamfering called Mentori further refines the splines so that the matcha tea doesn’t stick to them, before threading (Shitaami and Ueami) reinforces the whisk...
These distinctive seat cushions are meticulously handcrafted using a technique known as Kurashiki Knotting, originating from the city of Kurashiki in Japan's Okayama prefecture. Each cushion requires a minimum of two months to create. The artisan pays careful attention to every step of the production process, from selecting the wool to dying it and finally knotting it. The premium wool threads used in crafting these cushions are typically reserved for weaving into Kimono fabric. Wool, being a natural fiber, possesses moisture-absorbing properties, allowing it to regulate temperature. This feature ensures the cushions remain cool in warmer weather and warm during...