Tea cloths or tea runners are called chabu. When you choose a chabu it will quite literally lay the foundation for your tea ceremony as upon it all other elements will find their place. It will often be one of the first elements we look to. It will play a huge role in determining whether your ch​axi will be rustic or elegant, simple or refined.
 
Made out of pure linen - a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen fabric has a lovely earthy feel, starting off crisp but softening beautifully in time of usage. The flax plant, from which linen fibres are harvested, consumes far less water than cotton and requires fewer chemicals and pesticides making it a great eco fabric choice for the environmentally conscious. Linen can degrade in a few weeks when buried in soil, it is even more biodegradable than cotton.
 
Size 61 x 15 in // 154 x 39 cm.
Side A and B as on photos, 100% linen fabric.
 
Chabu can be made of cloth, bamboo, sticks woven together, rattan, straw, and a variety of other materials. One thing to consider before choosing your chabu is what type of tea you will be brewing. For if you brew a dark tea in a large company, then a white, or easily-stained cloth should be avoided (unless you want stains on it), since you will have to pour faster the more guests you have in order to keep the liquor consistent.
 
Chabu is important for two basic reasons: first is that you are protecting your teaware by resting it on something that isn’t hard. Secondly, if you spill any tea during preparation, the cloth will absorb it and maintain the cleanliness of the ceremony.
Beautiful tea cloths add elegance and color to any chaxi (tea stage). The various colors and designs are a great step forward to create very different atmospheres for your chaxi. Each chaxi becomes unique and makes each tea a special experience.