stationeryJune 24, 2026

Kumano Fude

Kumano Fude (熊野筆) is a stationery craft — specifically a range of calligraphy, painting, and cosmetic brushes — produced in Kumano Town, Asakita District, Hiroshima Prefecture, designated as a Traditional Craft Product by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1975.

History

Kumano Town is referred to as the "Capital of Brushes" and has developed into Japan's largest brush production area. The traditional craft product designation, received in 1975, was the first such designation ever granted to the calligraphy brush industry. The distinctive Japanese craft stationery production method known as the Bon-maze hair-mixing technique was developed during the Meiji era and remains unique to Kumano. During the early Showa period, approximately 90% of Kumano town residents were involved in brush making in some capacity, reflecting the degree to which the craft defined the local economy. In 2004, the Kumano Fude Business Cooperative Association acquired a collective trademark for the Kumano Fude® brand, at which time the formal definition of a Kumano Fude brush and its logo were established. The regional collective trademark system was subsequently codified in Japanese law following a partial revision of the Trademark Act in 2006, with other regions referencing the Kumano Brush case when obtaining their own designations. In 2011, the cosmetic brush variety became more widely known nationally after being selected as a commemorative gift for the Kuniminei-sho (People's Honor Award) presented to the Nadeshiko Japan women's football team. The first female certified Traditional Craft Artisan for brush-making in Japan was also a fude-shi (brush craftsperson) from Kumano.

Techniques & Production Process

Kumano brushes are broadly divided into three categories: calligraphy brushes, painting brushes, and cosmetic brushes. Two principal hair-mixing methods are employed in their production. The conventional technique, known as Neri-maze, involves placing bundles of hair called kure into water, thinning them out, and repeatedly folding and stretching the material. The Bon-maze method, developed in Kumano during the Meiji era, involves placing dry hair into a hair-kneading box called a bon and mixing the hair together before forming bundles; these bundles are then further processed using the Neri-maze method. The Bon-maze method yields approximately ten times the production volume compared to Neri-maze alone. In current practice, mass production utilises the Bon-maze method, while high-end products are made using the Neri-maze method. By definition, the brush tip (ho-saki) of a Kumano Fude must be made in the Kumano region and finished through the final process in the same region. Raw hair materials are imported from China, Southeast Asia, and North and South America. Brush handles (fude-jiku) are sourced from Hyogo, Okayama, and Shizuoka prefectures, or are imported alongside the raw hair.

How to Identify Kumano Fude

Authentic Kumano Fude brushes carry the Kumano Fude® collective trademark, managed by the Kumano Fude Business Cooperative Association, which was established in 2004. By the craft's formal definition, the brush tip must be both made and finished in the Kumano region. The three main product types — calligraphy, painting, and cosmetic brushes — each have distinct forms suited to their respective uses. Products manufactured by members of the Kumano Fude Business Cooperative Association, of which there were 99 member companies as of 2015, and by the 52 companies holding trademark contracts for the Kumano Fude® brand as of the same year, may display the registered trademark logo.

The Craft Today

Kumano currently accounts for approximately 80% of the domestic brush market overall, and combined with Nara Fude and other Hiroshima-area producers, Hiroshima Prefecture's brushes account for around 90% of the domestic market share. Kumano forms one of Japan's four major brush production areas, alongside Toyohashi Fude in Aichi, Nara Fude in Nara, and Kawajiri Fude in Hiroshima. Around the year 2000, Kumano's domestic market share by production volume was recorded at 80% for calligraphy brushes, 85% for painting brushes, and 90% for cosmetic brushes; by production value, the share stood at 61% according to 2001 data. For calligraphy brushes alone, approximately 15 million brushes per year — roughly 50,000 per day — are manufactured. Approximately 2,500 people in Kumano are currently involved in brush making (calligraphy brushes 1,500, painting brushes 500, cosmetic brushes 500), representing about 10% of the town's population — a significant decline from the early Showa period when 90% of residents participated. As of 2016, there are 22 certified Traditional Craft Artisans among approximately 1,500 fude-shi in Kumano, the highest count of any of the four major brush production areas (Toyohashi 14, Nara 9, Kawajiri 2). The Kumano Fude Business Cooperative Association had 99 member companies as of 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of brushes are produced in Kumano?

Kumano brushes are broadly divided into three types: calligraphy brushes, painting brushes, and cosmetic brushes.

What makes the Bon-maze technique distinctive?

The Bon-maze method, developed in Kumano during the Meiji era, involves mixing dry hair in a specialised box called a bon before bundle formation, achieving approximately ten times the production volume of the conventional Neri-maze method. It is unique to Kumano.

When did Kumano Fude receive its traditional craft designation?

Kumano Fude received the Traditional Craft Product designation from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1975, making it the first calligraphy brush to receive such a designation.

What is required for a brush to be called Kumano Fude?

By the craft's formal definition, the brush tip (ho-saki) must be made in the Kumano region and the brush must be finished through its final process in the same region. The Kumano Fude® name is a collective trademark managed by the Kumano Fude Business Cooperative Association, acquired in 2004.

How large is Kumano's share of Japan's domestic brush market?

Kumano generally holds approximately 80% of Japan's domestic brush market. Combined with Kawajiri Fude, also produced in Hiroshima Prefecture, the two areas together account for around 90% of the domestic market share.