A calligraphy brush is more than just a tool. Each bristle, carefully chosen and crafted by skilled artisans, carries their philosophy and craftsmanship. Once held in your hand, the brush comes alive—creating expressive, living lines on the paper. In this sense, a brush is a living craftwork.
Whether you’re new to calligraphy or eager to deepen your understanding of traditional brushes, this guide walks you through the fundamentals of brush selection—from structure and materials to writing styles and artisan wisdom.
Understanding the Basic Structure of a Brush
A traditional calligraphy brush consists of three main parts:
- Tip (穂, ho): The bristles. This part has the greatest influence on the brush’s writing performance.
- Shaft (軸, jiku): The handle. Its thickness and material affect how the brush feels and responds.
- Base (根元, nemoto): Where the hairs are bound together with thread and glue. This determines the cohesiveness of the brush tip.
The tip’s expressiveness depends on four key elements: the type of hair, length, firmness, and pointedness.
Types of Hair and How They Affect Your Writing
The hair used in a brush dramatically impacts the writing experience. Here are the most common types and their characteristics:
Goat Hair (Yangmao / 羊毛)
- Characteristics: Very soft and highly absorbent, with a smooth, flowing tip.
- Best for: Cursive (草書), semi-cursive (行書), large characters, and expressive work.
- For beginners?: While versatile, it can be hard to control due to its softness. However, it offers a wide range of expressive lines.
Goat hair is said to fulfill all four traditional brush virtues: sharpness (尖), alignment (斉), roundness (円), and resilience (健).
Rabbit Hair (Shigō / 紫毫)
- Characteristics: Very sharp and responsive to pressure, with a well-shaped tip.
- Best for: Fine writing, kana, sutras, and small brushes.
- For beginners?: Excellent for learning delicate strokes and kana script.
High-grade shigō is made from the back hair of wild Chinese rabbits and is regarded as a rare and premium material.
Raccoon Dog Hair (Tanukike / 狸毛)
- Characteristics: Soft near the base and firm at the tip, offering strong rebound and stiffness.
- Best for: Standard script (楷書), semi-cursive, and bold or masculine styles.
- For beginners?: Recommended for learning pressure control and strength in lines.
It’s believed that Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) brought raccoon dog brushes from China.
Mixed Hair (Kenmō / 兼毫)
- Characteristics: Combines multiple types of hair to balance their strengths.
- Best for: General use and flexible writing needs.
- For beginners?: Highly suitable, thanks to its versatility.
Common blends include “Five Rabbit to Five Goat” (五紫五羊) or “Seven Rabbit to Three Goat” (七紫三羊).
Brush Tip Shape, Length, and Thickness
The feel of a brush can vary dramatically based on the shape and length of the tip:
| Type | Characteristics and Use |
| Long tip (長鋒, chōhō) | Absorbs pressure flexibly; ideal for cursive and continuous strokes. |
| Medium tip (中鋒, chūhō) | Standard type, suitable for semi-cursive and general Chinese characters. |
| Short tip (短鋒, tanhō) | Short and stiffer; great for standard script, sutras, and precise writing. |
Longer tips require more control but allow for dynamic expression. Kūkai reportedly used different brush lengths for different purposes.
Choosing the Right Brush for Your Writing Style
Square Style (楷書)
- Tip: Short or medium
- Hair: Raccoon or horse for firmness
- Focus: Stability and control
Running Style and Cursive Style (行書・草書)
- Tip: Medium to long
- Hair: Goat-based, soft and fluid to support flowing strokes
Kana and Sutras (かな・写経(Shakyo))
- Tip: Short and precise
- Hair: Rabbit (shigō) or weasel for delicate lines
- Best choice: A fine-tipped shigō brush
Don’t Overlook the Handle—It’s About Comfort Too
The shaft’s thickness and length should suit your hand size and grip strength:
- Thick shafts: Ideal for large characters and people with strong grips (often men).
- Thin shafts: Better for small brushes, delicate movements, and smaller hands (often women).
Materials also matter. While bamboo is the standard, luxury brushes may use lacquer, ivory, or porcelain for added texture and aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion: The Right Brush Is Found Through Experience
No one can tell you exactly which brush is perfect for you—you have to discover it through trial and practice. Just as Kūkai chose his brushes with care and precision, finding the one that unlocks your potential will make your calligraphy journey all the more meaningful.
The brush you choose today could be the brush that changes your writing forever.
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