文進堂 畑製筆所

川尻筆

<h1>文進堂の信念が宿る一生ものの羊毛筆</h1>
<paragraph>広島県川尻で脈々と受け継がれる工芸品、『川尻筆』。その中でも、『文進堂 畑製筆所』は、品質への責任と、使い手への深い敬意から一切の妥協を許さない姿勢を貫き、『文進堂』として独自の道を歩んでいます。</paragraph>
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<paragraph>特徴は、現代表の義幸さんが考案した世界でも珍しい「羊毛筆」。<br />
義幸さんが着目したのは、それまで扱いが難しくて製品化されていなく、筆として成り立たなかったものだったという点。 書道業界では、「固くて書きやすい」「子供達も使いやすい」など売れるものとしての定型が有る一方、既存の筆にはすぐ潰れたり墨が入ってダメになったりするという弱点があり、 そこからの脱却と進化の必要性を感じた義幸さん。自分の色を模索する中、「いい毛をまだ筆にできていないのなら、誰もやってないだけだろう、だったらそこに飛び込むべきだ」と羊毛での筆づくりに挑みました。<br /><br />

文進堂では、半世紀以上前の清浄な地球環境で育った野生の雄ヤギの顎下から胸毛という、入手困難な最高峰の原料を使用しています。柔らかく、墨含みが良く、紙に触れた瞬間の優しいあたりは、まさに筆との対話そのものです。世界で活躍する著名な方々も愛用する文進堂の筆は、手入れをすれば30〜40年という長い時間を共に歩むことのできる一生もののパートナーとなります。</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/e4b39ec5-b804-4a20-9fd5-b267c6cb62e5-xZ0WYG1gNJWuXl0HZJgHAaTmBxzcGD.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/355705ce-afc9-492e-a86d-5126b2c39548-owmehBIirr76Ev61hJf2fv0KZAj2cW.jpg' caption='今回取材を受けてくださったのは4代目の畑 幸壯さん。'></photo>
<h1>天然素材と職人の技が生む唯一無二の筆</h1>
<paragraph>文進堂の筆づくりは、極めて細やかな作業の連続です。まず一本一本の品質を見極める「原毛の選別作業」から始まります。天然素材には個体差が伴うため、毛を太陽光に透かし、粗を探し出して、一本一本の毛の質を見極め配分していきます。<br />
続いて使い手の求める理想の線を思い描きながら、その人だけのための筆を組み立てていく「毛組み」。筆作りの設計図とも言える最も重要な段階です。筆の作り手の経験とセンスが問われます。</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/cafce7f8-8661-4c8d-a0a0-de35b70d9aab-BQyc2gbKaLJUiRmkynexVhLHHUazf1.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/611a5da6-514b-4a1e-ba05-6fc82c1fc9e1-UqbnArTa7djxSqRxebk1JHa5akcFht.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/27017059-2433-4825-842c-cc1a7887a5a3-MtTnwBG16ragpXS4UUbxtCH7mGQNpI.jpg' caption='一つひとつ毛質を見てしっかり毛組みができる人はかなり少ないのだそう。'></photo>
<paragraph>選別した毛はそのままではつかえません。煮沸や綿抜きという工程で毛の癖を取り除き、毛を綺麗にした後に、火のし、灰もみという工程で、毛を真っ直ぐに整えることで丹念に下処理します。</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/28db9e10-7670-4390-9b19-9d461f8b74f4-dyLZzqXXmHQXkRjdwKWqdyPbNVJRww.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/457ad7cc-a3a5-4538-9aef-758be45026a0-ilUii6rrFOLX0IzwxQW77SQTPMRI1q.jpg' caption='熱を加え、灰で揉み込むことで、毛の油分を溶かしていく。'></photo>
<paragraph>毛の状態を整えたら「先寄せ」の工程で約3時間をかけて毛先を揃えていきます。柔らかい羊毛を揃えるためには繊細さが要求されるため機械では不可能。手で叩きながら揃えていきます。<br />
続いて川尻筆の特徴とも言える「練り混ぜ」。「練り混ぜ」は、揃えた毛を水に浸し、毛組みにむらができないよう整える作業です。異なる長さの毛を50回以上、2時間以上かけて混ぜ合わせることで、筆は複雑で豊かな表現力を持つ道具へと生まれ変わるのです。</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/eee4783b-9d37-4978-bd2a-e0bd644e1ab0-PMVS8AAoix3t58csCd3bUayDtBsmkT.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/e2c1758f-105b-4295-a0d3-4f07bac431d2-Z6pkopJA8iT0UalTmuIEBowUXYHUQQ.jpg' caption='「先寄せ」の様子。毛をパスタに例え、「固い毛は茹でる前の乾燥パスタ。羊毛は茹でた後のパスタと考えてもらえるといかに綺麗に揃えることが難しいことかがわかる。」と幸壯さん。'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/09ff0ed7-d7dd-4a4b-a536-73d087f5ed2b-0aCwr3WQfc6wdxFlloRwutWO5wrxWy.jpg' caption='「練り混ぜ」の様子。長さの違う毛を何度も混ぜることで、全て均一な状態に仕上げていく。'></photo>
<paragraph>毛の形を整えて乾燥させ筆の芯を作り、芯に毛を巻きつける「芯立て、上毛巻き」、穂の毛崩れや抜けを防ぐ「焼き締め」と作業が続きます。<br />
最後に水牛の角（天然素材）に軸入れをする「繰り込み」を行い仕上げます。<br />
普通の品質の毛であれば、このように細やかな工程を施したとしても書き味は向上しないが、技に応える良質な毛を使用しているからこそ細やかな技の価値が光ります。<br />
幸壯さんは、『同じ原料でも誰よりもいいものを作るのが職人。』と話します。良質な毛の選定を基礎として職人の経験と感覚を頼りに地道で繊細な工程を重ねることで、唯一無二の一本が仕立てられるのです。</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/0b7bed5c-ea40-43c1-b1ef-440b716797b2-aGuPsGvI89a9AUjqFXsP8ehAivMmw7.jpg' caption='「焼き締め」の様子。熱したコテで焼くことで、タンパク質同士が溶けて一つのかたまりになるのだそう。'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/4b184b3b-dca1-4977-8e6f-d85e6c6d8d92-aZn5NSmrLG6Zxr8KqhQcPNbtIRdDhZ.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/678787e7-5d50-4a35-83c5-49da72551887-Hw3xhSNGSb7AVBeJxsKxo4I40fKqVo.jpg' caption='軸の部分は天然素材の水牛の角を使用しており、大きさが一つひとつ異なるため、穂と大きさを合わせていく必要がある。'></photo>
<h1>未だ見ぬ可能性へ導き、豊かな未来へ誘う一本</h1>
<paragraph>4代目幸壯さんの筆への想いは、3歳の頃から始まりました。物心がついた時から最高品質の毛に触れさせられ、どちらの毛の質がいいかのかと教えられてきた幸壯さん。家族全員が筆作りに取り組む姿を「かっこいい」と感じながら育ち、それらが今の確かな技術の土台となっています。小さい頃から毛の教育を受けた幸壯さんは「今でもさらに良いものを作れるように生涯勉強だと思っている。 おそらくそれを父はわかっていたから、小さい頃から仕込んで、質の良いものに触れらせてくれたんだと思う。」と話します。<br />
いつかその隣に並びたいと憧れた3代目 義幸さん(父)は、今では尊敬すると共に、いつか超えたいライバルのような存在となりました。</paragraph>
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<paragraph>「お客様から”いい線が書けた”と言われる瞬間、苦労や悩みが報われます。今まで出せなかった線が出るようになって可能性が広がったとか言われると、使い手の常識を壊して幅を広げられたと思え、涙が溢れました。こういう喜びはものづくりをしている人の特権だと思います。」と幸壯さんは語ります。筆は使うほどに美しく変化し、墨が入って洗うたびにいぶし銀のように輝きを増し、毛が育っていきます。何十年という時間をかけてさらに仕上がっていく筆との関係性に、幸壯さんは深いロマンを感じているそうです。<br /><br />

「もっと筆の可能性を広げたい。まだまだ筆は何十年と進化していない。筆に興味のない人にも興味を持ってもらい、手に取ってもらって、そこから生まれる感動を知ってほしい。」と幸壯さんは続けます。新しい用途や世界の方々が日本文化に触れるきっかけとしてなど今後の筆の可能性に期待を膨らませています。<br /><br />

現代の忙しない生活の中で、一本の筆と向き合う時間や五感で感じる体験の価値は計り知れません。文進堂の筆は、あなたの手に馴染み、歳を重ね、時に可能性を開き、豊かな時間軸で生きる喜びに気づかせてくれる存在となってくれることでしょう。</paragraph>

<h1>A Lifelong Brush, Imbued with Bunshindo’s Belief.</h1>
<paragraph>In Kawajiri, Hiroshima Prefecture, the traditional craft of Kawajiri Brushes has been handed down for generations. Among them, Bunshindo Hata Brush Workshop has carved its own path as Bunshindo, upholding an uncompromising stance rooted in responsibility for quality and deep respect for the user.</paragraph>
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<paragraph>Its defining feature is the uniquely rare wool brush, invented by the current head, Yoshiyuki Hata. He turned his attention to fibers that had been considered too difficult to process and therefore never made into usable brushes. In the calligraphy world, certain formulas dominated: brushes that were “firm and easy to use,” or “suitable for children.” Yet these existing brushes often flattened or failed to hold ink. Yoshiyuki sensed the need for innovation: “If good hair hasn’t yet been made into a brush, it’s only because no one’s tried. Then I should be the one to dive in.” Thus, he challenged himself to create brushes using wool.<br /><br />
At Bunshindo, the finest materials are used: extremely rare chest hair taken from wild male goats, raised in the pure environment of over half a century ago. The brushes offer softness, excellent ink absorption, and a gentle touch on paper—an intimate dialogue between brush and hand. Cherished by renowned figures worldwide, Bunshindo brushes can last 30 to 40 years with proper care, becoming lifelong partners.</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/1e8e1602-5b6c-426c-912f-3ed97e9e7859-StTmrtA4p1KfTAw34768RqvhvvToyd.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/f7fda675-0911-40a5-8062-f68ee3561c70-WhYobGREnBv9xdpq3kVCVEwwvkKqn2.jpg' caption='The fourth-generation head, Yukimasa Hata, who gave this interview.'></photo>
<h1>A One-of-a-Kind Brush, Born from Natural Materials and Craftsmanship.</h1>
<paragraph>Brushmaking at Bunshindo involves an unbroken chain of meticulous steps. It begins with selecting raw hair. Since natural fibers vary, each strand is inspected under sunlight, flaws identified, and sorted for distribution.
Next comes kegumi (hair assembling), in which the brush is designed for the ideal line envisioned by its user. This crucial stage, the blueprint of brushmaking, demands the maker’s experience and sense.</paragraph>
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<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/d8b3ea60-4826-458e-9012-e87c158f8c01-x4PVAEuqMRStd7aFVJ7A9gWxvK3D4A.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/ed826f22-1e39-480e-952c-fc19ef38732a-6BYZaaeFteQ9SOO02QsTXd1geMLDIZ.jpg' caption='Very few artisans can properly assess hair quality and execute kegumi.'></photo>
<paragraph>The selected hair cannot be used as is. Through boiling and cotton removal, its irregularities are eliminated. Then, processes such as hinoshi (pressing with heat) and haimomi (kneading with ash) straighten and refine the hair.</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/27e0731d-a58c-4d39-86aa-ecf164df5603-SRSM7uBAYcPz2BQP25DiNGrTjJJjb4.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/6d77d5e0-b595-4696-80c5-b1219bd23ede-3howV3sQeHsNzwIWD0kcdFYgPkK5XM.jpg' caption='Heating and kneading with ash dissolves the oils from the hair.'></photo>
<paragraph>Once conditioned, the hair undergoes sakiyose, where tips are aligned over about three hours. This delicate process—especially with soft wool—cannot be done by machine. Instead, it is carefully tapped and arranged by hand.<br />
Then comes nerimaze, a signature feature of Kawajiri brushes. The aligned hair is soaked in water and repeatedly mixed more than 50 times over two hours to prevent unevenness in the bundle. By blending fibers of different lengths, the brush is reborn as a tool of rich, expressive power.</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/96d220bf-27fd-422e-9e51-440d5d6d2e52-ne9sdBkN4zu9zdRboRJwTQYhKwtxMH.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/bd6a549e-cab1-4c66-8366-a7a3ba1a9088-n5MFG3AaDG6kAYiSvG312lJyGZG0vl.jpg' caption='Scene of sakiyose. Yukimasa explains: “Think of hard hair as dry pasta before boiling, and wool as pasta after boiling—that’s how difficult it is to align beautifully.”'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/fa4cc27e-278e-482b-b6b6-abbb5063f5a8-mcMNNM0TmfzKm6Ou4sWALv1nEWI6uQ.jpg' caption='Scene of nerimaze. Repeatedly mixing hairs of different lengths ensures perfect uniformity.'></photo>
<paragraph>The hair is then shaped, dried, and formed into a core. Around this, more hair is wrapped (shintate, uwake-maki). The tip is stabilized by yakishime (heat-tightening) to prevent fraying or shedding. Finally, the brush is completed by fitting the shaft with natural water buffalo horn (kurikomi).<br />
If ordinary hair were used, such elaborate steps would not improve performance. But with the finest hair, these techniques reveal their true worth. “A craftsman makes something better than anyone else using the same raw material,” says Yukimasa. From careful selection through painstaking, delicate processes, a truly unique brush is born.</paragraph>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/6c47c035-3492-4052-874a-89acda8e01a9-ZVrHhiiqqu3Y4Gyq9Xvbwz3NxdkWmB.jpg' caption='Scene of yakishime. Heating causes the proteins in the hair to fuse into a solid whole.'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/ba58ac29-553b-4104-be39-08db77553a52-RuE8JsBFmTlLCIDdsBm7dsoado4JYA.jpg'></photo>
<photo src='https://krlazajynxwq6dfb.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/maker/edac4289-c571-41fc-9cb1-47a68dbc1616-zoirJ7x0nLFSBp6z4bxxWhYE5Rg0Ex.jpg' caption='The shaft is made from natural water buffalo horn, each piece different in size, matched carefully to the brush tip.'></photo>
<h1>Guiding Untapped Potential Toward a Rich Future.</h1>
<paragraph>Yukimasa’s journey with brushes began at age three. From early childhood he was exposed to the highest quality hair, taught to distinguish good from bad. Growing up, he admired his family’s devotion to brushmaking and thought it was “cool,” a foundation that supports his skills today.<br />
“My father probably knew it would take a lifetime of study to keep improving, which is why he started teaching me so young. I still believe brushmaking is lifelong learning,” says Yukimasa.<br />
His father, Yoshiyuki—the third generation—was once his idol and now stands as both respected mentor and rival whom he hopes to surpass.</paragraph>
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<paragraph>“When a customer tells me, ‘I was able to draw a better line,’ that’s when all the struggles and worries are rewarded. When someone says the brush allowed them to create lines they couldn’t before, I feel like I’ve expanded their possibilities. Once, hearing that brought tears to my eyes. That joy is the privilege of being a maker.”<br /><br />
Over decades of use, Bunshindo brushes change beautifully. Each wash deepens their silvery luster, the hairs maturing with time. Yukimasa finds deep romance in this evolving relationship between brush and user.<br /><br />
“I want to broaden the possibilities of brushes. For decades, brushes haven’t evolved. I want people with no interest in brushes to try them, to experience the emotions that come from using one.” He hopes to see new applications and to create opportunities for people worldwide to encounter Japanese culture through brushes.<br /><br />
In today’s busy lives, the moments spent facing a single brush, experiencing it with the senses, are invaluable. A Bunshindo brush will fit naturally in your hand, grow with you over the years, open new possibilities, and awaken the joy of living within a richer sense of time.</paragraph>

文進堂 畑製筆所では、これまで扱いが難しく製品化できなかった最高峰の原料、羊毛を使った「羊毛筆」を考案。天然素材と職人の技が生む唯一無二の筆を作り続けています。

At Bunshindo Hata Brushworks, they devised the “wool brush” using top-grade wool—once considered too difficult to handle and therefore never commercialized. By combining natural materials with the skill of master artisans, the studio continues to create brushes that are truly one of a kind.