Tea Utensils
Chadōgu
The material world of chanoyu
In chanoyu, utensils are not merely functional tools. Each object — from the tea bowl to the kettle to the bamboo scoop — carries meaning shaped by its material, its maker, the season in which it is used, and the occasion for which the host has chosen it. The selection of chadōgu is one of the host's most important acts of hospitality: a way of creating atmosphere, expressing care, and establishing dialogue with the guest.
Objects exist in relationship — to the room, to the scroll, to the flowers, and to each other. A host considers formal and informal registers (shin-gyō-sō), seasonal appropriateness, and the overall harmony of the gathering when assembling the utensils for a tea event.
Visual Reference
Principal Utensil Types
Click any utensil for notes on its role in Omotesenke practice.
Charcoal Tools
Cloth (Fukusa / Chakin)
Kettle (Kama)
Ladle (Hishaku)
Lid Rest (Futaoki)
Other
Tea Bowl (Chawan)
Tea Caddy (Chaire / Natsume)
Tea Scoop (Chashaku)
Water Jar (Mizusashi)
Whisk (Chasen)
Reference: Materials, Types & Seasons
An illustrated reference for the principal materials and ceramic traditions in Omotesenke chanoyu, with notes on seasonal appropriateness and formality registers.