Japanese Hishaku Tea Ceremony Bamboo Laddle 12"L

In the tea ceremony, the hishaku serves several purposes, primarily for scooping water from a mizusashi (water container) or kama (kettle) to either prepare the tea or cleanse the tea bowl. Its design varies based on season and purpose:
 • Summer: (Furo)The hishaku typically has a longer handle, smaller cup and end cut facing down, symbolizing the need for a lighter, cooling atmosphere.
 • Winter: (Ro) Has a shorter handle, a larger cup, and an end cut facing up to align with the floor of the tatam while the kettle sits in the sunken hearth to create a sense of warmth and intimacy.

A tea master uses the hishaku with precise movements to transfer water, reflecting the values of harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku). The ladle is also central to other Japanese rituals, such as misogi, the Shinto purification rite, emphasizing its cultural significance beyond the tea room.