Brushes and brush pens are an integral part of Chinese and Japanese black ink painting and calligraphy, and it’s worth every penny to invest in premium brushes.

An curved arrow pointing right. A handmade calligraphy brush, custom made for a master calligrapher, can cost over $1,000. At Hata Bunshindou each brush tip is made by a single artisan.

You have to be very, very patient,” says Kano, 34, who started doing calligraphy at age 6. Through her weekly Japanese Calligraphy ... inkwells and brushes — but a take-home kit is available ...

ink and brushes (for calligraphy, ink painting and the Japanese painting style called Nihonga) made by Kyoto’s few remaining fude shokunin. The store’s owners, the Ogawa family, can trace the ...