For the casual matcha tea drinker, a reasonably priced chasen, or bamboo tea whisk is a must. The whisk allows you to froth up a bowl of matcha tea while breaking apart clumps. This is actually a miniature version of the bamboo whisk for use with mini-bowls used in outdoor tea ceremonies. Whisk Guide The "Number" represents the approximate but not exact number of prongs, and the more prongs, the more froth or foam it produces. However, this is not an indication of better quality as some schools of tea ceremony frown upon froth. The biggest school of tea ceremony, Urasenke, teaches that an even level of froth is desirable, and so this has become standard among non-practitioners. Shape: The shape of this whisk is made according to Urasenke standards with the tips of the prongs curled inward. Number Name 16 平穂 Heiho 32 荒穂 Araho 48 中荒穂 Naka-araho 64 常穂・並穂 Tsuneho or Namiho 72 数穂・繁穂 Kazuho or Binho 80 八十本立 (No special name, characters mean "80-prong") 96 百本立 (No special name, characters mean "100-prong") 120 百二十本立 (No special name, characters mean "120-prong") Product Info Diameter top: 4.5 cm (1.77 in) Measurements are approximate bottom: 1.8 cm (0.7 in) Measurements are approximate Height: 8 cm (3.15 in) Measurements are approximate Material: Bamboo Includes plastic case Note: Color may not be exactly as photographed. Origin: Made in China