What Is Kumano Fude? Japan's Traditional Brushes from Hiroshima
Kumano fude (Kumano brushes) are traditional brushes crafted in Kumano Town, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture. The area is widely known as one of Japan's leading brush-making centers and accounts for a large share of domestic brush production.
With a culture going back about 180 years, Kumano is known less for producing the raw materials than for mastering the craft of selecting and blending hair and shaping the brush tip.
When you encounter Kumano brushes while traveling, they become far more interesting if you see them as tools for writing, painting, and applying makeup, rather than just souvenirs.
Kumano brushes have expanded from calligraphy brushes (shohitsu) to painting brushes (gahitsu) and makeup brushes, and they are still used for a wide variety of purposes today.
Many residents of Kumano Town are involved in brush making, and encountering the town's brush culture throughout the community is part of what makes visiting here so rewarding.
The History of Kumano Fude: Where Did It All Begin?
The connection between Kumano and brushes is said to have begun in the late Edo period, when local people traveled to regions such as Nara during the farming off-season, buying brushes and ink wholesale and selling them door to door.
Later, young people from Kumano studied with craftsmen from Arima (Hyogo Prefecture) and from the Hiroshima Domain, and brought those techniques back to their village, allowing brush making to take root in the area.
From the Meiji era onward, the spread of school education increased demand for brushes. After World War II, the skills of calligraphy brush making were adapted to develop painting brushes and makeup brushes.
In 1975 (Shōwa 50), Kumano fude were designated as a traditional craft by the Japanese government.
Many Kumano brush makers still gather in Kumano Town today, and brush-making techniques continue to be passed down as a regional industry.
Why Kumano Fude Is Valued as Handcrafted Art
In making Kumano fude, the steps of selecting hair and blending it to match the character of each brush are said to be especially important.
The brush-making process varies by size and type, but it is said to involve more than 70 steps, most of which are still done by hand today.
The process is broadly divided into three stages: "preliminary work," "bench work," and "finishing," with the eye and fingertip sense of the artisan essential at every stage.
Key First Steps: Senmo (Hair Selection) and Kegumi (Hair Blending)
Brush making begins with carefully sorting the hair.
In the preliminary work, the length and quality of the hair are matched according to where it will be used on the brush tip, and materials are combined according to the type of brush being made. This stage largely determines the quality of the finished product.
The animal hairs used include goat, horse, deer, tanuki (raccoon dog), and weasel, and the elasticity and how the hair gathers vary by body part, so a single brush often combines several types of hair.
Delicate Work That Is Hard to Replace with Machines
Animal hair varies not only by species but also by individual animal, and reading those qualities and shaping them into a brush is said to be difficult to do by machine.
The variation in the tips and spring of Kumano brushes comes precisely from these small judgments, made one brush at a time.
Because the work is done by hand by Traditional Craftsmen certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, even brushes of the same model have subtle individual character, and they are valued as tools that fit the hand better the more they are used.
Types of Kumano Fude: Calligraphy, Painting, and Makeup Brushes
From a traveler's point of view, it is easiest to think of Kumano brushes in three categories: calligraphy brushes, painting brushes, and makeup brushes.
These are the main uses officially introduced, and they show how Kumano's techniques have been applied beyond calligraphy to painting and cosmetics.
Categorizing Kumano Brushes by Use for Travelers
- Calligraphy brushes (shohitsu): Brushes used with sumi ink for calligraphy and sutra copying. They are divided into large, medium, and small brushes and are the designated traditional craft recognized by the Japanese government.
- Painting brushes (gahitsu): Brushes designed for watercolor, oil painting, Japanese painting (nihonga), ink painting (sumi-e), and etegami (picture letters), with various tip shapes and materials depending on the intended use.
- Makeup brushes: Face brushes, cheek brushes, eye shadow brushes, lip brushes, and more, with types carefully differentiated by the area of the face and the cosmetic product being used.
Even the official guidance notes that makeup brushes come in various types and techniques depending on the facial area and the cosmetic involved.
Kumano makeup brushes are known for their high quality and are sometimes used by professional makeup artists.
So if you imagine "Kumano fude" as calligraphy brushes only, you may be surprised by the much wider world you encounter on-site.
Where to See and Try Kumano Fude: A Guide to Fude no Sato Kobo
If you want to learn more about Kumano fude on-site, Fude no Sato Kobo (The Brush Village Museum) is the best place to start.
It is described as a facility featuring brush culture exhibits, live brush-making demonstrations, hands-on creative experiences, and a select shop offering around 1,500 types of brushes.
Fude no Sato Kobo: Hours, Admission, and Access
- Address: 5-17-1 Nakamizo, Kumano-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima 731-4293
- Phone: 082-855-3010
- Opening hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), and New Year holidays
- Admission: Varies by exhibit
- Parking: Free (122 spaces for cars, 5 for large buses)
- Access: About 45 minutes by bus from Hiroshima Bus Center or JR Hiroshima Station, or about 35 minutes by car from central Hiroshima
What You Can See at Fude no Sato Kobo
The facility is home to the world's largest brush and a corner where you can actually touch and try out brushes, so you can learn by feel as well as by sight.
In the "House of the Brush Masters" (Fudeshi no Ie), Traditional Craftsmen give live brush-making demonstrations during opening hours. The space is designed to recreate an old Kumano house, making it an ideal place to appreciate the fine detail of handwork that finished products alone cannot show.
Planning to Try a Workshop? Check in Advance
Fude no Sato Kobo offers a paid program combining a brush-making demonstration tour with a hands-on finishing experience (3,500 yen, separate admission required).
Advance reservations are preferred, and there are days when the experience is not available due to events, so it is a good idea to check before adding it to your itinerary.
Groups of 8 or more should consult the facility in advance, and personalized name engraving on the brush handle requires a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance.
Another Stop Worth Visiting: Kumano Fude Kaikan
Kumano Fude Kaikan is another place where you can learn about Kumano brushes.
The first floor houses the office of the Kumano Fude Industry Cooperative, while the second floor has a display area for Kumano brushes and also sells various types of brushes for calligraphy, painting, and makeup.
The lineup is especially interesting because the hall is directly managed by the cooperative, so it makes a great addition to your itinerary if you have the time.
Tips for Travelers Choosing a Kumano Brush
If you are choosing a Kumano brush for the first time, the quickest way to decide is to start by thinking about what you want to use it for.
Whether it is for writing, painting, or applying makeup, the ideal shape and feel will be different, so defining the purpose first makes the choice much clearer than going by looks alone.
Points to Check In-Store
- The size and shape of the brush tip (for fine lines or broad strokes)
- The type of hair (goat hair is soft, weasel hair is springy, and so on)
- The length and weight of the handle in your hand
- Whether you have a clear idea of when and how you will use it
- If you are unsure, share your intended use and ask a staff member for advice
What Affects Kumano Brush Prices
Prices for calligraphy and makeup brushes vary greatly depending on the use, materials, and maker.
The Kumano Brush Select Shop carries around 1,500 types of calligraphy, painting, and makeup brushes, making it easy to compare. Rather than picking one as a quick souvenir, look for a brush you will keep using long after you return home to avoid any regret.
Practical Information for International Visitors
Facility guidance and the way exhibits are presented can change depending on the event, so check in advance whether any support you need is available.
Payment methods and shipping services may vary by counter and product, so it is a good idea to confirm at the time of purchase.
Checking facility amenities and accessibility before your visit will also help you feel more comfortable.
Conclusion: How to Fully Appreciate Kumano Fude on Your Trip
The appeal of Kumano fude is more than just its long history.
What makes this craft region so special is the flexibility with which artisans refined their techniques in a place without local raw materials, expanding from calligraphy brushes to painting brushes and then to makeup brushes.
Learn the history through the exhibits at Fude no Sato Kobo, watch the handcraft in live demonstrations, and finally choose a brush that fits your own purpose.
Experiencing Kumano fude in this order turns it from a simple souvenir into a meaningful travel experience that lets you truly feel Japanese craftsmanship.
