Brush making experience learning from the best brush craftsman who is admired by painters and calligraphers.

【STORY】

The origin of the Kawajiri brushes dates back to the end of the Edo period. In 1838 (Tenpo 9), KIKUTANI Sanzo, a brush merchant from Kawajiri (present-day Kawajiri-cho, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture), traveled to Arima in Settsu (present-day Hyogo Prefecture) to purchase brushes, which he brought to Terakoya and other shops and began selling. After Kikuma's success in his business, he recommended to villagers that they take advantage of the off-season to make brushes, and in 1850 (Kaei 3), UENO Yaekichi hired a brush maker from Izumo and started manufacturing brushes. Since then, brush-making developed steadily, especially from the end of the Meiji period to the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), when it reached its zenith. There was a period of decline after World War II, when many artisans were drafted into the army, but demand for brushes gradually recovered after the war, and Kawajiri's brush industry has been on the upswing, growing into a specialty production area with a certain annual shipment volume throughout Japan.

Kawajiri brushes are characterized by the use of an advanced method of hair mixing called "Nerimaze (Mix hair)." Each piece is carefully handmade by a single craftsman, who is responsible for the entire process from start to finish. This makes them seem inefficient and unsuitable for mass production, but on the other hand, they maintain a high standard of quality. Even today, Kawajiri's high-quality brushes more than meet the precise demands of calligraphers and Japanese-style painters, and are used by many professionals.

Originally used as calligraphy brushes, recently, the company now also produces brushes completely custom-made for calligraphers and cosmetic brushes have also been produced to meet a wide range of demands. Among them, Hata Bunshindou, which produces brushes completely custom-made by calligraphers, is trusted by calligraphers as the best in Japan. The reason for this is not only that he has received numerous titles recognized by the imperial family, but also that he has inherited the technique of using rare raw hairs and breathing life into his brushes through an only handed down to one of his children, and continues to evolve. Following the world's first makeup brush created in 2011 using the Kawajiri brush technique, we have created a new "powder-only makeup brush" using the Kawajiri brush technique. The concept is "a makeup brush that uses luxurious natural hair, which is rare in the world, to achieve the transparency of bare skin, which is what instinct demands." The newly produced makeup brushes are targeted at professionals and the general public, who need to use good makeup brushes, and are trusted by hair and makeup artists, who say that they will have a positive impact on their skin five to ten years from now. Kawajiri brushes continue to be trusted and used by many professionals.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• The workshop of only two traditional craftsmen (artisans who maintain advanced skills and techniques recognized by the government) in the production area.
• Lecture by a young fourth-generation aspiring traditional craftsman
• Comparison of different writing styles depending on the brush
• Experience in selecting high-quality raw hairs from male goat chests that have been matured for more than 50 years and further selected.
• The gratitude of receiving hair, which is a part of life even though it is a byproduct of meat, and the desire to offer the brush as a memorial service.

【SCHEDULE】

Please select your start time in the box on the upper right.

[00:00]　About the history of the brush and Bunshindou
[00:10]　Experience actually touching and writing with a brush
[00:30]　Brush making experience
[01:00]　Showroom tours, purchasing, etc.
[01:20]　End

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：80 minutes
• Meeting point：Hata bunshindou
  1-5-35, Harayama, Kawajiri-cho, Kure-shi, Hiroshima 737-2601 [MAP]
• Access：13-minute walk from JR Aki-Kawajiri Station
  
• Minimum number of participants：2 people
  
• Language support：Japanese, English (option)
• Included：
  ・Paper consumed during the experience
  ・Sumi (ink stick)
  
• Excluded：
  ・English-speaking guide (option)
  ・Purchase of brushes
  
• Clothes：Wearing clothes that can get dirty is recommended as you will be in contact with brush and ink (aprons are available for rent).
• Participation requirements：
  ・Up to two children under 5 years old accompanied by an adult may attend free of charge.
  ・Strollers are accessible.
  ・Infants are required to sit on laps.
  ・Infant seats are available.
  
• Special support：Luggage storage is available.
• Free WI-FI：Yes
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)

【HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES】

・Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
・Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%
※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.