[Product size] Approximately 11.5 diameter x 249mm
[Standard of ears] No. 4 / [Shaft diameter] Approx. 11.5mm
[Shape of the panicle] Zhongfeng / [Length of the panicle] Approx. 44mm
[Elasticity] Moderate hardness
[Main wool] Horse tail armpit hair, wool, raccoon hair, deer hair
[✒️ Product Appeal & Recommended Points]
- Traditional "Nara Brush" Brand — This brush is part of the "Ichijou Shusui" series, crafted by a brush workshop in Nara that has carried on over 300 years of traditional brush-making. It is a reliable Japanese calligraphy brush that benefits from the skill and experience of master brushmakers accumulated over generations.
- Blend of Horse Tail, Sheep, Raccoon Dog, and Deer Hair — The main hair is primarily horse tail hair, skillfully blended with sheep, raccoon dog, and deer hair. This combination provides the unique animal hair qualities of excellent ink retention and supple resilience, giving stability even when expressing fine details with a large brush.
- Well-Balanced "Chūhō" (Medium Tip) Design — With a tip diameter of approximately 9.5mm and a length of about 44mm, the brush tip is medium. Its balanced firmness and elasticity allow for precise control of fundamental brush techniques like tome, hane, and harai. Ideal for kaisho and gyōsho styles, and perfect for writing 4–6 kanji characters on hanshi paper.
- Easy-to-Handle Size and Lightweight — The brush has a shaft diameter of approximately 11.5mm, total length of 249mm, and weight of 12g, offering a comfortable grip without being too heavy or too light. Suitable for beginners to intermediate users, it reduces fatigue during long practice sessions.
- Highly Versatile Use — Suitable for hobby calligraphy, classroom practice, and creating finished works. Especially effective for pieces written on hanshi paper with multiple kanji characters, as well as for daily calligraphy, New Year cards, nameplates, or model work.
- Stable Ink Retention and Line Quality — Thanks to the characteristics of animal hair, the brush absorbs ink well and allows clear control over shading and stroke strength. Recommended for those aiming for "fluid yet weighty lines" and "clear, well-defined characters."
[📝 Recommended For]
- People who want to write kanji beautifully and boldly with a thick brush (e.g., hanshi or finished pieces)
- Those practicing kaisho or gyōsho and wishing to carefully learn the basics of tome, hane, and harai
- People looking for a high-quality brush suitable for calligraphy classes
- Those seeking a long-lasting Japanese traditional brush for calligraphy
- Beginners to intermediate users who want a brush with moderate elasticity and firmness for stable control of pressure and force
[✅ Summary]
The Akashiya Ichijou Shusui No. 4 is a well-balanced Japanese thick brush combining traditional techniques of Nara brush masters with carefully selected animal hair. Its medium tip design and mixed hair provide excellent ink retention and elasticity, making it suitable for hanshi calligraphy, kaisho and gyōsho styles, and kanji works in general. It allows for precise execution of tome, hane, and harai strokes while producing stable lines, satisfying beginners, intermediate users, calligraphy classrooms, and hobbyists alike. This brush is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy calligraphy thoroughly or create polished, professional pieces, offering a reliable tool for long-term use.
