chakin

{{for|the village in Iran|Chahkin}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}

{{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}}

File:Chawan.jpg

Chakin (Japanese: 茶巾 "tea towel") is a small rectangular cloth used to wipe teabowls called chawan. It is a part of Japanese tea utensils. It is also used in Senchadō.

White linen is often used, or hemp cloth. The high-quality bleached hemp cloth Narazarashi (奈良晒) from Nara Prefecture is historically especially esteemed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201501/201501_05_en.html|title=A brand that revives Japan's traditional textiles | January 2015 | Highlighting Japan|website=www.gov-online.go.jp}}{{Cite web|url=https://ippin.com/au/products/DKWU9YMIY5CK4OW8C88SGC448-details|title=Nara'Sarashi Tea Towel (Chakin) By Nakagawa Masashichi from Japan – Ippin for Australia|website=Ippin}}{{Cite web|url=https://sunchi.jp/en/sunchilist/narayamatokooriyamaikoma-en/13169|title=Time travel within a walking distance Narazarashi, the most premium hemp fabric｜SUNCHI ~Explore Japan through regional crafts~|website=SUNCHI ~Explore Japan through regional crafts~}} The size varies depending on the application and style, but it is often a rectangle of about 1 shaku (尺) x 5 sun (寸) (30.3 x 15.2cm).{{Cite web|url=https://camellia-sinensis.com/en/chakin/3437|title=Chakin|website=Camellia Sinensis}} The edges lengthwise have a narrow rolled hem finished with overlock stitching. These two hems face opposite sides of the cloth.

The chakin is folded in a specific manner and placed, when not used, into a small vessel or cylinder that is called kintō (巾筒).