The chakin is a small rectangle of bleached linen, folded in a prescribed way, used to wipe the inside of the bowl after it has been rinsed with hot water. It is functional rather than decorative, and its plainness is the point: it is the visible token of cleanliness in the procedure.
In practice
The cloth is dampened, wrung out, and folded before the gathering, then set inside the bowl when the utensils are carried in. During the procedure the host wipes the bowl with it and returns it to a set position on the kettle lid. The fold, the wringing, and the placement all follow conventions that vary in detail between schools. Like the whisk and the ladle it is treated as a consumable, and a fresh cloth is used for a formal gathering.
Sources
- 茶巾（デジタル大辞泉 / 精選版 日本国語大辞典） / コトバンク
Supports: 茶巾が「茶道で、茶碗をふく麻の布。点前のときは茶碗の中に仕組む」ものであること。かつて朝鮮照布を最上とし、近江上布を経て、現在は主に奈良晒布を用いること
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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