Founded in Nara in 1902, Kuretake began with the traditional Japanese craft of ink stick making.
Kuretake Japanese Brushes
These are high-quality brushes made exclusively in Japan. We use carefully selected hair materials, creating brushes that possess all the necessary elements such as tip shape, cohesion, and elasticity.
Each brush is adjusted to provide an optimal writing experience for its specific calligraphy style.
🖌Japanese Calligraphy Brush Guide
This is based on the differences in how characters are written (Kaisho = standing, Gyosho = walking, Sosho = running).
We will clearly introduce the features of brushes best suited for each purpose.
A brush made with stiff hairs (firm hair: sheep, horse).
This is a clear script where each stroke is written precisely. The brush is moved relatively slowly.
A brush made with stiff hair (horse) + soft hair (sheep).
The brushstrokes are slightly more connected than Kaisho, giving a flowing, soft impression.
A brush made with soft hair (sheep, horse).
It holds a good amount of ink and is suitable for continuous writing (renmen).
It expresses with rhythm at a faster speed, abbreviating strokes to the extreme.
A brush made with soft hair (weasel).
The lines are fine, suitable for flowing renmen, and convey a sharpness within their softness.
For traditional Japanese kana characters such as waka, Man'yoshu, and copying old manuscripts.
A brush made with moderately stiff hair (weasel, horse).
It is characterized by its excellent tip cohesion and strong elasticity, suitable for writing fine-line Kaisho.
Inshu Shodo Hanshi
This is Shodo Hanshi (calligraphy paper) made in Inshu.
Inshu is one of Japan's traditional washi production regions located in the eastern part of Tottori Prefecture.
Blessed with pure water resources, it has supported Japan's calligraphy culture for approximately 1300 years, from the Nara period to the present day.
Inshu Washi is highly regarded as calligraphy paper due to its excellent quality.
①-a For Practice/Final Copy
Inshu Washi, machine-made, slightly thick hanshi.
It resists bleeding and tearing even with plenty of ink. The brush also lifts easily, making it easy to use.
It's suitable for beginners with fewer characters, as you don't need to worry much about ink volume or brush speed.
①-b For Final Copy
Inshu Washi, hand-made style machine-made, slightly thick hanshi.
It has minimal bleeding and allows for appropriateかすれ (kasuri) expression.
The brush lifts easily and bites well, providing a pleasant writing experience. The ink color also appears beautifully.
②-a For Practice/Final Copy
Inshu Washi, machine-made, slightly thin hanshi. Gaisenme finish.
The paper is white, and with normal ink concentration, there is appropriate bleeding.
It is also suitable for copying with concentrated ink.
②-b For Final Copy
Inshu Washi, hand-made style machine-made, slightly thin hanshi.
Gaisenme finish. It has a good grip and provides a pleasant writing experience.
It allows for soft bleeding, enabling variations in expression.
It is also suitable for copying with concentrated ink.
③-a For Practice/Final Copy
Inshu Washi, machine-made, thick for kana hanshi, making it easy to use.
There is almost no bleeding, making it suitable for beginners practicing fine-line kana or everyday calligraphy.
③-b For Final Copy
Inshu Washi, machine-made, medium-thick improved hanshi for kana.
There is almost no bleeding, making it suitable for final copies of fine-line kana or everyday calligraphy.
[Kyo Hanshibasami] ～Hanshibasami～
These are handmade hanshibasami (paper folders) made with vividly colored Yuzen Chiyogami paper.
With an inner pocket, they are convenient for storing and carrying hanshi and hanshi-kaishi.
Approximately 100 sheets of hanshi can be stored. It can accommodate sizes up to hanshi and hanshi-kaishi.
Maximum storage size: 340 x 250mm
Seikai / Akafumon Pattern
Seikai / Aofumon Pattern
Other Calligraphy Supplies ～Other～
Ogatsu Natural Inkstone / 4.5 Square ～Yusho Tennenken～
Inheriting a tradition that dates back to the Muromachi period, skilled artisans meticulously carve each piece from black, hard, argillaceous slate known as "Ogatsu Stone."
Ogatsu inkstones are highly regarded as calligraphy inkstones due to their superior quality.
Brush Roll Bamboo White ～Hudemaki Takeshiro～
A brush roll made from high-quality bamboo. Its breathability allows for storing calligraphy brushes without damaging the brush tips.
Underlay Standard Size 2mm～Shitajiki～
Standard size (for hanshi paper). Made from high-quality felt that is supple and resistant to wrinkling.
