Dear brush lovers !
Just a tiny post to share a wonderful article that appeared recently in the New York Times about Chikuhodo and Mr Takemori.
This link has been sent to me by Malin, she knows how much I love Chikuhodo and KumanoΒ and since not many of us have access to this newspaper, I thought I will link it hereΒ for you.
I think many of you are interested to learn a bit more about the origins of the brand that makes so many wonderful brushes. Below is an example of some of the brushes they manufacture but they are also responsible for Kanebo, Etreindre, La Donna and possibly many more.
Needless to say that since I will be in Kumano very shortly, I will share many pictures with you during my trip.
Have a wonderful rest of the week ! π
51 comments
Tell us what you have in plan for your shopping in Japan?
Hi Laurence π in terms of brands or places ?
I haven’t yet started to prepare my plans, still wondering how long I will stay and where !
but I will work on it this weekend, intensively π I have a few brands in mind, specially cle de peau, koh gen do, tatcha, etc.. but I am still investigating.
Of course in terms of brushes, I know. I will try to visit as many manufactures as I can in Kumano and also the boutiques but I don’t know yet what I will buy. It will be the first time I can actually “touch and feel” before purchasing, so maybe what I’ll buy will be completely different from what I initially wanted. I am also scared that if I write a list I get there and I find nothing. It’s very clear in my head what kind of brushes or make up I am looking for so I know for sure I won’t be buying “random” and without control π π π
I love that article I want to go become a brush marker. I really do.
Wow..I can’t wait to see the types of brushes you bring back or discover π
Since I’ve started reading your blog I have gone from having 5 brushes that worked for my skin to 24. With all the choices in Japan I would be shopping like crazy.
Do you have a list? Knowing myself I would most likely stray from it π
Interesting article! Thank you, Sonia.
Gosh, what a nice little artilce.
How amazing to think that in less than one month you’ll be in Kumano!
it is amazing, my fear is that I am looking at the Kumano map with all the manufactures and I don’t understand a word… oh well, who needs words in paradise ??? :
Oh but I DO understand the words!! That’s why I must GO with you! π
By the 9th I should be able to know if I can go.. *still keeping ’em crossed!!*
OMG !!! PLIZZZZZZZ
Thanks for sharing the article!
A nice article!
What a brush lover you are!
Kumano is a paradise of crazy brush lovers!:)
it’s probably like being in a dream come true π
Thanks for the interesting read, Sonia & Malin.
I just cannot get enough of Chikuhodo and Tanseido brushes! I recently bought Chikuhodo GS-12 and it is amazingly good!! Has been my favourite for the past week. π
by the way, I have to share something with you (all) π
Yesterday I was looking for one info about Kose brushes and for some reason I found this http://hope-inablog.com/sep/introducing-the-rotatingvibrating-makeup-brushes/
IMAGINE : me applying my makeup in the bathroom and trying to explain that to my bf, “yep, just using my make up brush my dear” π π π
sorry… couldn’t help it… !!! I don’t if these are good or not but I am curious to try π I really don’t know what I will find in Japan but I will have the best time ever !!!
Oh, how splendid! You can always count on the the Koreans to teach the Japanese what craziness REALLY means.
Omg what a hilarious brush! I’ve seen this vibrating sponge thing for BB cream application, but never a vibrating brush like that!
π I know !!!
Hahaha π Definitely an ‘Imagination runs wild’ moment there! π
Btw, the GS-12 has hit the HG status for me – flawless airbrushed finish. No extra blending needed. LOVE. π
yep wild minds here π
GS-12 onto my shopping list π
Here is a video demonstrating how the brush should be used. π
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KEGSpvBo0xM
Hi CC ! thank you for the vid ! can you please tell me the dimensions of the hair (length, thickness and width) ? I would like to compare it to the Evgeny I just got π
I wish we could find videos for all their brushes…
I have took some pictures and sent to your email. Hope that helps. π
There are actually a few videos showing some of their brushes. You want all the links? I will go search.
Thank you so much CC, got them, it will help me compare to the Evgeny since I am preparing the review π
The Evgeny is smaller (hair length and width) so I am happy the Chikuhodo is wider, maybe more adapted for me then!
You don’t need to send me the links π but I have already been watching the ones you sent, I like to be able to see them in action, makes me want them even more π
Click on the brush pic in order to view the demo. Enjoy! π
http://www.chikuhodo.com/howto/index.html
ha-ha, at least for the price it’s double function π I wonder wihc use would be most suitable π
:D:D:D
Ah, you’re the faithful type, I see! What fun if you and Sonia are able to visit Kumano together!
that would be less terrifying π and much fun for sure !
Well, it’s not an abnormal concept to have vibrating cosmetics. Remember the vibrating mascara or the clarisonic cleaning brush?
Several Korean brands have made BB compacts or foundations with mechanical parts that can repeatedly push the product onto face. But I didn’t use them because I want to use brushes. I haven’t expected a vibrating brush to come…Do try to touch the samples before paying online, because Korean cosmetics are more drugstore grades, and the tools or accessories I tried, even for those more recognized brands, are of drugstore quality…
yes I remember but thinking about vibrating brushes is so funny ! π
I know and if I find any at all, I will not buy before testing them π
I totally understand you feel very touched by everything related to brushes (the dust clearing flower brush you bought tells me)
Sorry to speak of my ugly observation, I had a Korean trip last year so I have some sort of impression developed (I planned to buy some brushes/ cosmetics but I only bring home with skincare). I always have in mind you paying the expensive shipping and insanely high tax for foreign goods.
yes indeed I am π
Make up is way more expensive here in Switzerland than in many other countries, prices are really high in Asia but I am not shocked that much knowing that here it’s just heart breaking … at the end it’s about the same price but at least I get really great items when I order from Asian countries. But yes, shame it’s sooo expensive !!
Hi Sonia, thank you for sharing such a wonderful article! It’s amazing how this craft is passed along so many generations through the years.
FYI, I showed my cousin your site, she loves it, and even ordered some Real Techniques brushes off iherb.com using your coupon code. Seems like you’ve just got yourself a new fan.=DDD
fantastic π I hope she will enjoy too ! thank you !
This was such an interesting article to read! I love the fact that so much care and attention go into making these brushes. It really is an art!
I will drool if I see them working :P°°°°°
Thank you Malin and Sonia! I hadn’t seen this article… Very interesting
Hi Sonia! I believe I’ve seen Chikuhodo in our local Isetan( I’m located in Shanghai, China). Interestingly, they’re sold in a sort of souvenir counter, and the price is RIDICULOUS! However, I’m still quite surprised(and excited) to see Chikuhodo sell outside Japan.
Hi Denise, they most probably will soon conquer the world π
News again, uninteresting but new moves of Chikuhodo, but maybe I can finally prepare for the price raise (already 1 month past the April mark) now?
1. K series having more brushes (review: positive)
2. The most expensive set, “Kiwami”, priced at 157,500 yen is never coming back and discontinued without prior notice (review by elites: “wanna throw Z series away when Kiwami is available”)
Well, I understand longer hair or bigger powder brush is super rare, and it is noble for Chikuhodo providing a real premium standard at the price of regular Kashoen (spelling?). But there are way too many face brushes in a set. This must owe to my lack of knowledge in Canadian Squirrel brushes.
I am an eye brush lover.
Thank you for the news ! Maybe I can have a look at the new brushes if I visit their manufacture π I’ll keep you posted !!!
Still, the news is drawn from Manγ‘γγ well, I often talk about her), she finally sells single Takeda brushes in her taobao store.
She is certainly a VIP kind of existance for her frequent chance to handle the Kiwami series.
That’s very kind of you again, but I write so just to let you know if you can see the “Kiwami “in JAPAN, this would be your precious chance to pat the babies. For the K series, it was actually a piece of news I gave up before (remember the new Z brushes news?). Seems like those unwritten things happen before the “plans”, even for Japanese people, ouch…
p.s. please don’t feel obliged to do things for me, an easy “um” is fine. I don’t think portable brushes are that attractive to your other fans.
Your planning of trip is very difficult and means so much more for you and other readers here. Wish you all the best and happiness in the trip.
um … ok π
yes of course I remember you telling about the new Z series, I would love to be able to spot prototypes during my trip !!
Yes please, agent Sonia, new Z eye brushes, or a release date~~~~ plx (haha).
For an overall-face powder brush, after reading your HG list, I don’t know if I should own Z1,MK1/2, or the Tanseido EQ 28, which is better? I use both loose powder or powder from MAC compact.
I don’t pay attention to MK’s painting on handle that much.
I will try them the three together tomorrow and will report back to you π
These 3 brushes are totally different brushes, the Z-1 is round and dense, the Tanseido is flat and you will specially use the sides of it -or the top for more precision-, the MK2 is something in between the two, both in terms of shape and density. For the Mac pressed I prefer the Z-1, it will pick up more product and deliver some more coverage which is what I will be looking for to do with this Mac product. For any other loose powder in order to deliver a sheer application all over the face I’ll prefer the Mk2, for more highly pigmented powders, like more stronger highlighter powders, I’ll use the Tanseido, it will deliver more precision and is more forgiving since less dense, it also buffs better the product into the skin since it’s goat.
Funny, I was talking brushes with my bf today, he was suggesting that I should start to think about switching jobs to do only this, since he sees that I enjoy it so much, then I confessed to him that I have many many brushes, probably the most diverse collection (that’s the only reason why I can write so much about brushes π ) He is just very surprised that I actually use all my brushes !!! ….Me too π
i’m very happy to read this article .. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing it!