Japanese Paint Brushes

Japanese paint brushes are handcrafted watercolor and art brushes made from natural animal hair, designed to hold a generous load of water and release color in smooth, controlled strokes. This collection features Akashiya brushes from Nara, Japan, including sable round and flat brushes, horse hair watercolor sets, weasel hair menso brushes for fine detail, and tsuketate brushes for bold, expressive lines. They suit watercolor, sumi-e, nihonga, calligraphy, and illustration.

Akashiya has made brushes in Nara, the historic heart of Japanese brush making, since 1877. Sable and weasel hair give a fine, springy point for detail work, while horse hair holds more water for washes and broad strokes. Pair them with our Japanese watercolor paints for a complete painting set.