“Kaho” – Gokujo Kengo Japanese Calligraphy Brush　【極上兼剛 華穂】

Product Description

I am offering the Japanese calligraphy brush Gokujo Kengo “Kaho”, selected for practitioners who value control, stability, and consistency in both daily practice and finished work.

This brush is classified as kengo, meaning it has a balanced firmness. It responds clearly to changes in pressure without becoming overly soft, allowing the brush tip to remain composed during slower, deliberate movements. This makes it well suited for controlled strokes and structured writing, where precision and predictability are important.

The bristles measure approximately 1.0 cm in diameter and 4.7 cm in length, a proportion that provides a good balance between responsiveness and stability. The brush is made using a combination of sheep hair and tenbi hair, offering moderate resilience while maintaining smooth ink flow. This structure supports steady line formation without excessive spreading or collapse of the tip.

I selected this brush not for decorative appeal or name recognition, but for its practicality in regular use. It reflects the writer’s technique honestly, making it suitable for practitioners who wish to improve control and consistency through repeated practice. Over time, its characteristics become more familiar, allowing it to integrate naturally into the writer’s personal style.

Traditional Japanese calligraphy tools are produced under very different assumptions than mass-produced alternatives. From material selection to finishing, more care and time are involved, which results in tools designed for reliability rather than disposability. I position this brush as a tool meant to be used and understood over time, rather than replaced after limited use.

Intended Use

Large brush (Obude) for kanji calligraphy
Suitable for regular hanshi paper
Recommended for Kaisho (standard script) and Gyosho (semi-cursive script)

Recommended For

Writers who prefer a balanced, slightly firm brush
Practitioners focusing on form, structure, and controlled strokes
Those seeking a brush suitable for both practice and finished work
Calligraphers who value traditional Japanese tools for practical use

May Not Be Suitable For

Complete beginners looking for the lowest-cost entry optionWriters who prefer extremely soft brushes with high unpredictability
(In such cases, a different brush type may be more appropriate.)

Specifications

Type: Japanese calligraphy brush

Brush Size: Large (Obude)

Bristle Diameter × Length: 1.0 × 4.7 cm

Hair Type: Sheep hair / Tenbi hair

Intended Scripts: Kanji (Kaisho, Gyosho)

Paper Type: Hanshi

Origin: Japan

International Shipping

This item is carefully packed and shipped from Japan.
Please note that international shipping fees and any applicable import duties or taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.