Calligraphy Brush Set / Suuzan / Starter Kit for Beginners

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

The traditional techniques that have been handed down for over 200 years are filled with a single brush. Toyohashi brushes are made using a special technique called "kneading mixing," which makes them easy to blend with sumi ink and gives them a smooth texture.
The set includes a thick brush and a thin brush, and is recommended for those who are just starting calligraphy. We hope you will enjoy spending time with calligraphy.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：200 years ago / 1800AD / Edo period in Japan

It is said that the brush manufacturing method was originally introduced in Toyohashi City by a brush craftsman from Kyoto named Suzuki Jinzaemon. From there, brush manufacturing was introduced as a side job for low-ranking samurai and developed because the materials were easily available in Toyohashi. Kumano brushes in Hiroshima Prefecture and Toyohashi brushes in Aichi Prefecture are famous as the two major production areas of Japanese brushes.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Nobuhiro Yamazaki / Suse Toyohashi Fude Studio
Nobuhiro Yamazaki opened a workshop of Suse Works in the east of Nagoya in 1958. Nobuhiro Yamazaki, a craftsman with 65 years of experience, performs all 36 processes by himself. He is dedicated to the preservation and development of the Toyohashi brush as a national craftsman, a traditional handicraft with over 200 years of history.

Craftsman Passion

"Even though I am over 80 years old, there are still things I can do to master my craft."
With the changing times, the way customers purchase and the demand itself has changed considerably. However, there are people from outside of Japan who want to visit the workshop, and I feel that there are still many things I can and must do to make Toyohashi brushes.

Achievement

Received Aichi Prefecture Commendation for Excellence in Technical Skills
Received the Prefectural Governor's Prize
Designated as a traditional craftsman in 1996
He has received many other awards for their work.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Thick brush

Length：25cm
Weight : 10g

Thin brush

Length : 21.5cm
Weight : 5g

Material & Caution

Materials

Thick brush

Horse hair
Wool
Nylon
Plastic

Thin brush

Weasel hair
Wool
Bay
Horse hair
Bamboo 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Made to Order

Basically, as this product is made to order, it takes about a month from the date of your order. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.