Bunshindou Hataseihitsusho (Hata Bunshindou)

  • Greetings

    In January 1930, our family began making calligraphy brushes (fude) in Kawajiri, a small town in Hiroshima Prefecture. In gratitude to the generous support extended from a great many people, since that time we have devoted ourselves, for generations, to producing exquisite brushes known as the Kawajiri fude. We have never forgotten the guiding philosophy which our ancestors embraced nearly 90 years ago: "make the best fude in the world".

    The process of producing such a world-class brush involves a myriad of steps. The more time and skill a brush craftsperson devotes to each step, the better the resulting brush. We have always put our hearts and souls into making every single component of our brushes, relentlessly exploiting the most sophisticated artisanship passed down through the generations in our family.

    When ink is applied onto our brushes, "a life" flows into it. The calligrapher then lets this "life" run over the calligraphy paper as his/her creative impulse dictates, generating vivid movements with each brushstroke. A variety of lines and shapes are reproduced :including bold or delicate, thick or thin, watery and blurred, plus a scratchy look. Our brush will provide infinite creative possibilities and help you expand the way in which you express yourself.

    Next year will be our 90th anniversary. To continue producing the best brushes in the world for the next generation, we are determined to progress steadily in changing what needs to be changed, and preserving what needs to be preserved.

    We will work hand in hand with other craftspeople in the area, including the Kawajiri Fude Business Association, to promote the Kawajiri fude. Our ultimate goal is to keep creating calligraphy brushes that are beloved by the artists in the area, all over Japan, and throughout the entire world.

Our Philosophy

Make absolutely no compromises in producing the best possible brushes.
Stay humble, and always remember that our entire lifetime is a learning experience.
Create a brush that simply nobody else can duplicate.
Contribute positively to the development of Japanese culture.

There is no room for compromise throughout our brush making process. We are always pursuing the ideal brush because we take great pride in ourselves as artisans. We put our hearts and souls into every brush we produce so as to satisfy every one of our customers.

  • Yoshiyuki Hata
    The Third Master
    The First designated traditional craftsperson of Kawajiri fude (brush)
    Date of birth: 3 February, 1951

    Major Achievements

Company info

  • Corporate Name
    Hata Bunshindou (Bunshindou Hataseihitsusho)
  • Adress
    1-5-35 Harayama, Kawajiri-cho, Kure-shi, Hiroshima 737-2601 JAPAN
  • Email
    info@bunshindou.com
  • Established in
    1930
  • Nature of Business
    Making and sales of Kawajiri fude brushes for calligraphy, make-up
  • President
    Yoshiyuki Hata
    (METI-designated traditional craftsperson)

Company history

  • 1930
    The First Master Susumu established Bunshindou Hataseihitsusho.
  • 1949
    The Second Master Masumi inherited inherited skills.
  • 1966
    The Third Master Yoshiyuki inherited inherited skills.
  • 1978
    Received the honour of presenting the Kawajiri fude to Prince & Princess Hitachi of the Japanese royal family.
  • 1989
    Performed brush making in front of then Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (currently Emperor Emeritus & Empress Emeritus) upon their visits.
  • 2004
    Kawajiri fude was designated as a traditional craft of Japan.
  • 2005
    The Third Master Yoshiyuki designated as the first Traditional Craftsperson for the Kawajiri fude.
  • 2010
    The Fourth Master Koso inherited inherited skills.