Chasen
The bamboo whisk used to froth matcha.
Also known as: matcha whisk, bamboo whisk
A chasen is the traditional Japanese whisk used to whip matcha into a smooth, frothy bowl. Hand-cut from a single piece of bamboo, the head splits into 80–120 fine prongs designed to aerate the powder without crushing it. The chasen is what gives proper matcha its silky, foam-topped texture — no other tool replicates the result. Chasen wear out with use; replace every 6–12 months of regular whisking.