Busted chasen!

[Abracadaver!]

I'm hoping that someone around here might be able to give me a little insight... I bought this chasen from Artistic Nippon last August and never got around to opening it or using it, and it has been sitting in the back of my tea things cabinet since then. It's dark and dry in there, and the temperature stays pretty steady. I keep another chasen in there as well (chinese-made, open and frequently used) and it's in fine shape. Any ideas? Is it a defect in the bamboo, or should I have opened it after I received it, or somehow stored it differently?

chasen.jpg (28.65 KiB) Viewed 552 times

[Chip]

Bamboo splits as it dries. Perhaps using it prevents such splitting? And letting it dry indefinitely may cause premature cracks?

AN used to sell both Chinese and Japanese. The cardboard stand looks like a cheapo pair I picked up on ebay for 10 bucks (for the pair!) I got them mainly for display ...

[Abracadaver!]

Hmmm...you may be right about regular use keeping the bamboo at the right moisture level.
As for the origin, this particular chasen (as seen here: http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... _kubo.html) is Kyoto-made.

[Chip]

Thanks for the clarification. Maybe ask Toru, he is not only pretty knowledgable, but also willing to share information.

[Abracadaver!]

Thanks for the suggestion, Chip! Toru thinks that perhaps the bamboo split because it got too dry, which apparently happens from time to time to the bamboo products on the shelves in his shop when the humidity gets too low. My guess is that keeping the chasen sealed in its original packaging was not the best idea...

Toru suggests that the chasen is likely still functional, and as long as it froths my matcha, I'm happy.

[woozl]

Bamboo, especially green, can split when dried too fast.
I am friends with someone who make lots of bamboo stuff...

[woozl]

and as long as it froths my matcha, I'm happy.

That's the way, nice.