Nanzenji Susudake Chashaku Sennen no Midori - Aged Bamboo Tea Scoop with Box

A rare susudake (smoked bamboo) tea scoop named Sennen no Midori, meaning Thousand Years of Green. This Japanese tea scoop features aged Obaku-san bamboo with rich amber patina, inscribed by Shiozawa Daijo of Nanzenji temple. An exceptional bamboo tea utensil for the discerning collector of Zen temple art and wabi sabi aesthetics. Ships with tracking from Japan.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[ PRODUCT DETAILS ]
• Artist: Shiozawa Daijo, Nanzenji Temple (Calligraphy)
• Origin: Kyoto, Japan
• Type: Tea Scoop (Chashaku / 茶杓)
• Mei (Name): Sennen no Midori (千年翠) – Thousand Years of Green
• Bamboo: Susudake from Obaku-san (黄檗山) ancient stock
• Dimensions: Approx. 18 cm length (7.1”)
• Materials: Aged susudake bamboo
• Packaging: Signed tomobako, inscribed bamboo tsutsu, gold-leaf paper outer box
• Condition: Excellent – Rich natural patina. No damage or repairs.
• Style: Zen Minimalist / Wabi-sabi aesthetic

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[ ABOUT THIS PIECE ]
Susudake is bamboo that has absorbed centuries of hearth smoke in traditional Japanese farmhouses (minka). The resulting deep amber-to-chocolate coloring cannot be artificially replicated – it is the work of time itself. This particular chashaku is carved from bamboo sourced from Obaku-san (Mount Obaku), the headquarters of the Obaku Zen school near Uji, Kyoto.

The poetic name Sennen no Midori – literally "a thousand years of green" – is a Zen phrase expressing the eternal vitality of nature. Despite the dark patina of age, the bamboo's spirit remains eternally verdant. Shiozawa Daijo of Nanzenji, one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples, chose this name to remind us that true life transcends surface appearance.

[ WHY CHOOSE THIS CHASHAKU? ]
Susudake chashaku are increasingly rare as original minka farmhouses disappear. Each piece is unrepeatable – the specific pattern of smoke absorption creates a unique fingerprint. Combined with Nanzenji temple provenance and the gold-leaf outer box, this represents a museum-worthy acquisition.

[ CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ]
The Obaku school introduced Chinese-influenced Zen practices to Japan in the 17th century. Obaku-san bamboo carries this historical weight. In tea ceremony, using a susudake chashaku signals deep appreciation for mono no aware – the bittersweet awareness of impermanence. The dark-toned bamboo creates a striking visual contrast with bright green matcha.

[ PROVENANCE & AUTHENTICITY ]
Complete set: signed tomobako with Shiozawa Daijo's calligraphy, inscribed bamboo tsutsu marked "Sennen no Midori," gold-leaf paper outer box, and the chashaku itself.

[ SUGGESTED USES ]
Use for daily matcha preparation or as a collector's display piece. Perfect gift for tea lovers, Zen practitioners, or anyone who appreciates the beauty of natural aging. An exceptional housewarming or anniversary gift.

[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]
Q: Is susudake safe for food contact?
A: Yes, susudake has been used in tea utensils for centuries. The smoke-aged bamboo is completely food-safe.

Q: Will the color change over time?
A: Susudake develops a deeper, richer patina with handling. This is considered desirable.

Q: How rare is susudake bamboo?
A: Genuinely aged susudake is becoming very scarce as traditional thatched-roof farmhouses are demolished. Each piece is irreplaceable.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ]
• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days
• Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking)
• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials