Kumano brushes begin as carefully arranged hairs, not as a finished souvenir on a shop shelf. At Houkoduo in Hiroshima Prefecture, you make one yourself under the guidance of Midori-san, a traditional craftswoman with 45 years of experience and one of only three female craftswomen in Kumano.
I like two things in particular: you get to handle the materials and take part in four stages of brush making, and you can test how weasel, horse, and goat hair behave when you write. The free engraving of up to about 20 characters gives your finished brush a personal touch without turning the activity into a mere demonstration.
The main consideration is the trip to Kumano. The workshop is outside central Hiroshima, and the English-speaking option costs much more than the Japanese-speaking package, so check the language and total price before you book.
- Make a brush in four stages: Arrange the bristles, then work through the remaining steps with a craftswoman.
- Learn from Midori-san: She has 45 years of brush-making experience and is one of Kumano’s few female traditional craftswomen.
- Compare three kinds of hair: Write with brushes made from weasel, horse, and goat hair.
- Take home a named keepsake: Your name can be carved into the handle for free, with room for about 20 characters.
- See calligraphy up close: The workshop includes works by calligraphers such as Shiko Munakata.
- Plan the language and price: The Japanese-speaking option is far less expensive than the English-speaking one.
- Making a Kumano brush by hand
- Four steps from bristles to finished brush
- Testing weasel, horse, and goat hair
- Houkoduo, a working brush shop
- What the price includes, and what it does not
- Timing, language, and booking details
- Who will enjoy this workshop most
- Should you book the Kumano brush-making experience?
- FAQ
- How long does the brush-making experience last?
- Where does the workshop take place?
- What will I do during the workshop?
- Can I take my brush home?
- Can my name be carved on the brush?
- Is an English-speaking guide available?
- How do I get to Houkoduo by public transport?
- Is there an age limit?
Making a Kumano brush by hand
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5 / 5Kumano, in Hiroshima Prefecture, is known for its brushes, which are used by calligraphers around the world. This workshop takes you inside that tradition at Houkoduo, a brush and makeup-brush maker and retailer in the town of Kumano.
The appeal is practical as well as cultural. You do not just watch a brush being made and leave with a short explanation. You take part in the process, guided by someone who has spent decades learning the craft. That gives even a beginner a better sense of why brush making involves more than tying a handle to a bundle of hair.
Midori-san’s 45 years of experience are a central part of the visit. She is one of only three female traditional craftswomen in Kumano, and the chance to watch her work is a rare opportunity to see practiced techniques at close range. The workshop is still a hands-on activity, not a long lecture, so expect to learn by doing.
You do not need to arrive as a calligraphy expert. The activity has no age limit, and children as young as kindergarten age can take part. If you already practice calligraphy, you may be especially interested in the choices of brush hair and how those choices affect the mark on the page.
Four steps from bristles to finished brush
The experience lasts about two hours. It begins with a demonstration of traditional brush-making techniques, then moves into your own brush-making work. You arrange bristles and continue through the process toward the finishing touches.
The four stages give the workshop a useful rhythm: watch first, try the work yourself, finish your brush, then put it to use. The provided details do not specify each step by name, so it is best not to expect a particular tool or technique. The important point is that you participate in the making rather than only observing.
A traditional craft can look deceptively simple when an expert does it quickly. Seeing the demonstration before your turn helps you notice the care involved and gives you a point of comparison as you work. Your own brush may take longer and feel less tidy than the craftswoman’s, which is part of the fun. It is made by you, not by a factory line.
At the end, your brush is yours to take home. Houkoduo can carve your name on the handle at no extra charge, with space for about 20 characters. That small detail turns a useful object into a personal souvenir, and it is worth thinking ahead about what name or short inscription you want.
Testing weasel, horse, and goat hair
One of the most useful parts of the session is writing with brushes made from three kinds of hair: weasel, horse, and goat. You can feel how different brushes behave instead of relying on a verbal description or a product label.
That comparison makes the workshop valuable even if you have never studied calligraphy. You get a direct introduction to the tool itself: how a brush meets the paper and how the writing experience changes from one brush to another. If you do practice, the exercise may help you think more carefully about what you want from a brush.
The provided details do not promise a full calligraphy lesson or specify how much writing time you will have. Think of this as a brush-making experience with a chance to try the finished tools, not as a course designed to teach formal writing technique. That distinction matters if your main goal is to leave with polished calligraphy.
The session also includes a look at work by calligraphers, including the famous artist Shiko Munakata. Seeing finished work adds context to the materials you have just handled. A brush is not only a craft object here; it is also the tool that helps an artist make a distinctive line.
Houkoduo, a working brush shop
Houkoduo is located at 10 Chome-6-23 Dekiniwa in Kumano, Aki District. The company makes and sells calligraphy brushes and makeup brushes, so there is also a shop on site if you want to browse or buy a second brush as a souvenir.
That shop adds a useful option, but it is not a reason to feel obliged to spend more. Your workshop fee includes the calligraphy brush you make. Any other personal purchases are extra, so treat the store as a chance to look around rather than part of the required experience.
The address is not in central Hiroshima, and getting there takes a little planning. From JR Hiroshima Station, take the Kure Line to JR Yano Station, a journey of about 10 minutes according to the supplied directions. From Yano Station-mae, take a Hiroshima Electric Railway bus toward Kumano-cho and get off at the Kumano Eigyosho stop. The bus ride is about 15 minutes, followed by a one-minute walk.
A taxi from JR Yano Station takes about seven minutes. From JR Hiroshima Station, the drive is about 40 minutes. If you are already visiting the area by car, the trip may be simpler; if you rely on public transport, check your connections and give yourself enough time to reach the shop before your chosen start.
What the price includes, and what it does not
The experience price is advertised from US$90.99, but the available package details show a Japanese-speaking guide option from US$110.99 and an English-speaking guide option from US$296.09. Those figures do not line up neatly, so check the price displayed for your selected date and language before paying. The difference between the language options is substantial.
The fee includes the experience, a calligraphy brush, and a Japanese-speaking guide in the Japanese-language package. The English-speaking option is available at a higher price. Other personal expenses, including any extra purchases from the shop, are not included.
For value, consider what you are paying for: about two hours of instruction and hands-on work with a highly experienced craftswoman, plus a brush you make and can take home. If you are curious about Japanese craft or calligraphy, that is a more lasting experience than buying a ready-made brush without learning how it is formed. If you simply want an inexpensive souvenir, the price and journey may be harder to justify.
Timing, language, and booking details
You can choose a start time from 09:00 through 15:00, subject to the options available when you book. The return time depends on your selected start and the two-hour duration. Arrive at Houkoduo 10 minutes early; late arrivals cannot join the next class and are not refunded.
A Japanese-speaking guide is included with the Japanese-language package. An English-speaking option is offered at a much higher price. If you need instruction in English, confirm that you have selected that package rather than assuming the standard option includes it.
Confirmation is expected within 48 hours. Your mobile voucher is used for entry, and it is valid only for the date and time booked. Cancellation rules are strict close to the activity: cancelling within seven days incurs a 60 percent fee, and within three days the charge is 100 percent. In extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances, the operator may cancel and offer a reschedule or full refund.
Who will enjoy this workshop most
This is a strong choice for anyone who likes learning how everyday objects are made, especially if calligraphy, Japanese arts, or traditional handcrafts are already on your itinerary. You do not need prior experience, and the age guidance makes it suitable for families with young children who can take part in a two-hour activity.
It is also a good fit if you prefer a small, focused cultural experience over a packed sightseeing schedule. The workshop is centered on one craft and one maker, with time to observe, work, test brushes, and look at calligraphy. You come away with a clear, tangible reminder of the visit.
You might prefer another activity if you want a full calligraphy class, a tour in English at a lower price, or an experience close to central Hiroshima. Those details are not part of this workshop’s offer. Its particular strength is the chance to learn brush making directly from an experienced craftswoman in Kumano.
Should you book the Kumano brush-making experience?
Book it if making something by hand appeals to you and you are willing to travel to Kumano for a two-hour workshop. The combination of Midori-san’s long experience, the four-stage making process, and the chance to compare different hair types gives the activity real substance. The engraved brush is a practical keepsake, not just a souvenir that will sit in a drawer.
Before you commit, confirm the guide language and the price for your date. The English-speaking option costs considerably more, while the standard package is Japanese-speaking. If those details work for your budget and plans, this is a thoughtful way to meet a living craft tradition and take a piece of it home.
Make an Authentic Calligraphy Brush with a Traditional Craftswoman
“This was an extraordinary experience and I highly recommend you try it if you have the opportunity. Midori-san has 45 years of brush making experie…”
FAQ
How long does the brush-making experience last?
The guided experience lasts about two hours.
Where does the workshop take place?
It takes place at Houkoduo, 10 Chome-6-23 Dekiniwa, Kumano, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
What will I do during the workshop?
You will watch a traditional craftswoman demonstrate brush making, take part in four stages of making a brush, and try writing with brushes made from weasel, horse, and goat hair.
Can I take my brush home?
Yes. The calligraphy brush you make is included and can be taken home.
Can my name be carved on the brush?
Yes. Name carving is free, and about 20 characters can be carved on the handle.
Is an English-speaking guide available?
Yes. An English-speaking option is available. The package details list it from US$296.09, compared with US$110.99 for the Japanese-speaking option.
How do I get to Houkoduo by public transport?
Take the Kure Line from JR Hiroshima Station to JR Yano Station, then take a Hiroshima Electric Railway bus toward Kumano-cho to the Kumano Eigyosho stop. Houkoduo is about a one-minute walk from the bus stop.
Is there an age limit?
No. The activity has no age limit, and even kindergarten pupils can enjoy it.