茶筌師の里、奈良高山にある久保駒吉商店の工房を訪ね、茶筌づくりを見学しました。 伝統工芸士の久保健裕さんと奥様、お母様が迎えてくださいました。
茶筅は昔から夫婦が分業で作るのだそうです。原竹から「片木（へぎ）」「小割」「味削り」という作業までが夫の役割で、「面取り」「下網・上網」「腰並べ」「仕上げ」までが妻の役割だそうです。
どの工程も根気のいる細かい作業ですが、茶筅づくりで最も重要なのは、小割にした穂先部分を湯に浸して柔らかくし、その後皮の裏側を穂先にかけて半紙くらいの薄さに削っていく「味削り」だと言われています。
奥様担当の網掛けでは、最近ではカラフルな色糸を使った茶筌が人気だそうです。オーダーも可能ということで、ドイツ、フランス、イタリアの国旗色バージョンを注文しました。入荷したらアップしますので、楽しみにお待ちくださいね。
I visited the workshop of Kubo Komakichi Shouten, located in Takayama, Nara Prefecture, known as the village of Chasen artisans, to observe the process of Chasen (tea whisk) making.
I was welcomed by Kubo Tatehiro-san, a traditional craftsman, along with his wife and mother.
It seems that Chasen has been traditionally crafted through a division of labor between husband and wife. The husband is responsible for tasks such as "Hegi", "Kowari", and "Ajikezuri", while the wife's role includes "Menitori", "Shimonami" and "Kaminami", "Koshinarabe", and "Shiage". Each process requires meticulous and delicate work. However, the most crucial step in Chasen making is said to be "Ajikezuri," where the tip of the split bamboo is soaked in hot water to soften it, and then the backside of the bristles is shaved to a thickness similar to that of Japanese washi paper.
Regarding the wife's role in tying the bristles, it seems that Chasen with colorful threads has become popular recently. They also offer customization options, and I have placed an order for versions inspired by the German, French, and Italian national flag colors. Once they arrive, I will share them, so please look forward to it.