4-2. Type of Japanese Calligraphy Brushes2, Size

Partial name of brush

命毛(inoti-ge)Tip of hair.This is the most important part.命 is life. のど(nodo)throat
腹(hara)belly
腰(koshi)waist
軸際(jikukiwa)end of pen holder
穂首(hokubi)/筆鋒(hippou)Pen top
かけひも(kakehimo)rope for hanging
ダルマ(daruma)front bone
軸(jiku)Pen holder
コツ(kotu)bone

Sorted by length of hair brush

Extra long brush:More than 8 times of diameter of pen top.Suitable for advanced calligraper because of difficulty in handling.It can creat a varaety of lines.It can creat a varaety of lines.
Long brush:From 5.5 to 8 times of diameter of pen top.
Medium brush:From 4.5 to 5.5 times of diameter of pen top.
Short brush :From3.5 to 4.5 times of diameter of pen top.
Extra short brush: Less than 3.5 times of diameter of pen top

Short brush Medium brush Long brush

Sorted by diameter of pen top

Special-Any longer size than the below-mentioned
No.1-16.7mm
No.2-15.2mm
No.3-12.7mm-most suitable for four letters on hanshi(standard-size calligraphy paper)
No.4-10.9mm-most suitable for six letters on hanshi(standard-size calligraphy paper)
No.7-7.8mm-for Kana,a slender writing
No.8-7.3mm-for Kana,a slender writing
No.9-6.7mm-for Kana,a slender writing
No.10-6.1mm

Sorted by process of production

Water-brush:Top of hair is harden by starch paste
Unharden-brush:Top of hair is free from hardening