Although it has a long name, the animation brush is a Kumano brush, a traditional craft.
What is a "Traditional Craft"?
- Items used primarily for daily living
- A major part of its manufacturing process is handcrafted
- Manufactured by traditional techniques or technologies
- Traditionally used raw materials are used as the main raw material for production
- Those whose manufacture is carried out or engaged in by not less than a certain number of persons in a certain region
Crafts that meet all of the above five criteria and have been designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in accordance with the Law Concerning the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries (Law No. 57 of 1974, hereinafter referred to as the “Densan Law”).
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Traditional Crafts” page.
What is the "Symbol Mark of Traditional Crafts"?
The Traditional Mark is a symbol of traditional crafts designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Products that are produced using the techniques, techniques, and raw materials designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and that have passed the inspection of their place of origin are affixed with a “traditional stamp” using the design of the traditional mark. Products bearing this traditional stamp have been inspected and are delivered with pride and responsibility for quality.
For more information, please visit the website of the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries.
Kumano brush is a traditional craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
In 1975, Kumano brushes became the first brush industry in Japan to be designated as a “traditional handicraft” by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (currently the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry).
Kumano brushes designated as a traditional craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry are considered to be brushes manufactured in accordance with the following regulations.
- Name of traditional craft
- 熊野筆(Kumano Fude)
- Traditional technology or technique
- “火のし・毛もみ” ashes of rice husks should be used.
- For “寸切り”, “寸木” and scissors should be used.
- Mixed hair should use the “練りまぜ” technique.
- Use hemp thread for “糸締め”.
- Traditionally used raw materials
- Brush tops shall be made of goat, horse, deer, raccoon dog, weasel or cat hair or animal hair of equivalent material.
- The shaft should be made of bamboo or wood.
- Region of manufacture
- Kumano Town, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture
For more information, please see the Kumano Brush Business Cooperative Association’s “About Kumano Brushes” page.
"Traditional Craft Kumano Fude" Anime Fude
The explanation is too long and tiring, but we can put a traditional certificate on our brushes for animation because they meet the above regulations and have passed the production area inspection.
Then, are our other brushes not Kumano brushes? That is not the case.
All of our brushes are made using traditional techniques (the only way we know how).
All of our brushes are manufactured in our own company (including in-house production) in the town of Kumano.
Therefore, there are many brushes that meet the above regulations.
However, it is not easy (and tedious) to apply for all the dozens of types of brushes, for example, a Menso Fude is not thick enough to have a seal on its shaft.
Of course, if the application is incomplete, it may not be approved.
Therefore, for the time being, we have applied for animation brushes as traditional Kumano brushes.
However, not all of the brushes meet the regulations.
Some brushes have a brush head made of chemical fibers (nylon, etc.) to compensate for their strong back.
Some brushes have plastic shafts when bamboo or wooden shafts are no longer available.
Such brushes do not meet the regulations and therefore cannot be applied for.
However, whether or not they are certified as a traditional Kumano brush, they are still Kumano brushes made with the traditional techniques of the Kumano brush.
It does not mean that the drawing quality will be better because the traditional mark is affixed.
It is time to start applying for it gradually, since we can no longer cheat with the excuse that it is too much trouble to apply.
We will continue to produce high quality Kumano brushes, and we hope that you will continue to use Shougetsudo’s brushes in the future.