PIGMENT TOKYO offers various types of Hake (Japanese flat brushes).

In general, Hake are wide brushes used for painting large surfaces, however, some types of hair materials and shapes can also be used for other techniques and mediums.

・Painting Brush

This Hake brush is made from standard goat belly hair, known for its excellent paint-holding capacity and soft feel.

The brush can be used with a variety of paints, including watercolors, acrylics and oil paints. However, due to the softness and flexibility of the goat hair, it performs best with fluid paints that require a gentle touch and is not ideal for thick or heavy-bodied paints.

For using with acrylics or oils, it is important to first dilute the paint with water or a suitable solvent to increase its fluidity. This brush excels at creating flat surfaces with acrylic paint.

This series is available in a wide range of sizes, from No. 5 (23mm hair length and 16mm width) to No. 100 (60mm hair length and 300mm width), allowing you to find the right size that fits your specific needs.

・Dosa Brush

The Dosa Brush is well-suited for dosa sizing applications. This process is necessary when painting on highly absorbent surfaces such as untreated washi paper or silk canvas.
By applying a thin coating layer on the surface, dosa sizing reduces bleeding and improves pigment fixation, creating a more stable painting surface.

This brush has extremely thick and soft bristles, allowing it to hold a huge amount of dosa solution. This makes it possible to cover large areas evenly with a single stroke.

We also offer a Gokuhin Dosa Brush, which is made of goat beard blended with nylon fibers and has a slightly thinner bristle compared to the standard dosa brushes.

・Hakuzen Brush

The Hakuzen Brush is firmer than the Painting Brush.

While it is not ideal for applying thick paints straight from the tube, it is effective for applying fluid paint. 

Its firmness allows for better control over brush strokes.

・Gokuhin Brush

This brush is made of goat hair that is firmer than goat belly hair. Among Hake brushes made from goat hair, its firmness is the strongest, and the tip naturally comes together for precise application.

The Shiranami Brush is made entirely of nylon hair. While the tip may not perform as precisely when loaded with paint, it is ideal for covering large, wide areas on painting surfaces.

・Ox Brush

Most of the brushes we have introduced so far are designed for applying fluid paints but this Ox Brush is specifically made for high-viscosity paints. It combines soft horsehair with strong pig bristle, making it ideal for thick mixtures such as animal glue and mineral pigments, high-solid acrylic paints, and oil paints that contain a significant amount of linseed oil. 

Originally, the term "ox" referred to the ear hairs of a bull. However, due to a shortage of materials, the above mentioned hair is now used for this brush. 

・Sambar Brush

The Sambar Brush was famously used by Nihonga (Japanese painting) artists such as Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunso, known for their distinctive painting style called “Morotai,” to soften and blur the background of paintings.

It is also well-suited for dry touch. Therefore, this brush is not usually dipped in paint, it is used as a dry Hake brush.

It is especially effective when used with animal glue and mineral pigments, as in the Japanese painting techniques.

For those looking for a more affordable option, we also offer a similar item made with black pig bristles called the Kara Brush.

・Cashew Coated Hake Brush

This brush has the same high-quality hair as the Hakuzen Brush, with slightly thinner bristles. The handle is finished with a cashew coating, making it both stain-resistant and smooth to the touch.

It is a wonderful choice not only for personal use but also as a thoughtful gift for someone special.

Although we focused on Hake brushes for painting through this article, we also offer a wide variety of other specialized brushes, including mounting brushes used in the traditional mounting technique (hyogu) and Sashibake brushes used for applying color in Yuzen dyeing.
Moreover, we carry Renpitsu (flat joint brushes), which resemble Hake brushes in shape but produce entirely different effects.

At our physical store in Tennoz Isle, you can try out our sample of these brushes and experience their feel firsthand. Our art materials experts will also be happy to assist, so you can find the right brush based on your needs.

If any of the Hake brushes introduced here caught your interest, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to help you find the perfect tool.

Translated by Atsumi Okano, Nelson Hor Ee Herng
PIGMENT TOKYO Art Materials Experts

Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO

Akira Oya

Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.

He also continues his career as a visual artist.

Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.

He also continues his career as a visual artist.