Behind the scenes – The Traditions Kakishibu brushes

I always hoped my blog could help us connect with the artisans behind these brushes, and vice versa. Over time, the artisans told me that it did, that it helped them in many ways and this is something I feel deeply grateful for.
I know the artisans and everyone behind the scenes are happy to read your comments because this motivates them very much, they feel loved and understood. They want to continue studying new ways to incorporate traditional techniques and obviously, they would love to continue training the future generations of artisans.

The way this journey has unfolded into something so extraordinary is still really hard for me to fully take in. My original intention was simply to spend as much time as possible with the artisans in Kumano, to learn from them and share their work. I never imagined that one day I would be working alongside them myself.
To now receive awards on top of that, makes it all feel even more surreal. It is incredibly moving and I really want you to know how grateful and amazed I feel.

The EPDA recognition honors everything these Traditions Kakishibu brushes embody: the natural goat bristles dyed with persimmon tannin and the shapes of the brushes. It also honors the handles, the Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with the traditional finishing techniques using tonoko powder, and the distinctive ferrules featured on some of these brushes.

So, in 2025, we have received an European Product Design Award for our Traditions Kakishibu brushes. This has been announced in January 2026. It’s a very important milestone for everyone and we wanted to mark this moment, so Beautylish prepared a little interview for the manufacturers behind these pieces. I hope this gives you a little more information about the people and their work behind the scenes.

INTERVIEW WITH MR FUJIMORI UEMATSU

What makes the Keyaki Kakishibu brushes especially challenging or rewarding to create?


Creating the Keyaki Kakishibu brushes is both challenging and rewarding because the process takes time, patience, and requires help from the weather.
In fact, it took me more than 3 years to reach this desired colour on natural hair. You cannot learn how to do it from some AI tools such as Chat GPT.

The brushes must go through repeated cycles of soaking in Kakishibu dye and drying in sunlight, so the process depends heavily on the weather. We have to wait for the right conditions and sunny days, as humid weather is not suitable. At the same time, that challenge is what makes the work so rewarding: it takes patience and precision to build the color gradually and evenly, and seeing the final result makes the effort worthwhile.

   
What is the most delicate or unpredictable part of working with Kakishibu dye?

Persimmon extract- Kakishibu- is fixed by exposure to sunlight, so if the sunlight is different or depending on how it dries, the color tends to be uneven or also, if the color drips or accumulates before it dries, small darker areas or “stains” may appear.
The shade can also change depending on the type of bristles, the exact ingredients of the dye,  how it is exposed to sunlight, and even the season as colors tend to be lighter in winter and deeper in summer. Because of all these factors, it is difficult to achieve exactly the same color each time.

The Keyaki Kakishibu brushes won in both Beauty Tools and Other Designs. What does that double recognition mean to you?

I feel so happy that together, we were able to create brushes that are not only highly effective and practical for everyday use, but also appreciated for their design. As an artisan, that means so much because I always hope the brushes will be valued not only for how beautifully they perform, but also for the thought and craftsmanship behind them. When both of those aspects are recognized at the same time, it is especially rewarding. I feel that the efforts that went into the brushes have been fully understood and appreciated.

How do you personally feel receiving the award?

I was very happily surprised and so proud! When we are so passionate about our work and love it so much, this is the most amazing reward.  

How does it feel to see an old technique like Kakishibu recognized in a modern beauty context?

It is very meaningful to see an old technique like Kakishibu recognized in a modern beauty context, it shows that traditional craftsmanship still has value today. Kakishibu is not only beautiful, but also highly functional: it gives the bristles resilience and a particular hue, and we use a dye that is safe for both people and the environment.

This kind of recognition is also important because it helps ensure that traditional techniques are not forgotten. When people appreciate and understand the value of these methods, it becomes easier to preserve the artisan’s skills and pass them down to future generations. So in that sense, bringing Kakishibu into modern beauty is not just about innovation but it is also about protecting heritage and keeping our craftsmanship alive.

What are you proudest of in this piece?
No one had really taken on the challenge of hand-dyeing natural hair for makeup brushes before. It is just not possible to make it overnight, and because it is a method that was perfected after trial and error, it cannot be made just anywhere.

Kakishibu dyed makeup brushes received the Buyer’s Award as a special category from the Traditional Craft Industry Promotion Association while makeup brush is currently not recognized as a traditional craft in Japan (Calligraphy brush is certified, but makeup brush is awaiting certification). Hence, this was a very proud award for me.

What makes Sonia’s approach different from other beauty brands you have collaborated with?
Sonia spends a lot of time in Kumano, and people here understand her well.
She approaches this work with genuine respect taking the time to learn the traditions and history without trying to imitate anyone. Through her, these aspects of Kumano brushes are shared more clearly with people outside Japan, in a way that is easy to understand.

Thanks to this, more people abroad are beginning to appreciate things that were once difficult to explain. It is also encouraging for us, since these brushes contain the wisdom of our predecessors, we are confident and proud to recommend them to our customers and it helps the next generation to continue building on them.

Why is it important to preserve artisan techniques in modern beauty tools?

For me, it is so important to preserve artisan techniques in modern beauty tools because these methods hold the spirit and knowledge of our craft. In handmade Japanese brushes, every technique has been built over many years through experience, they are not simply old methods, but they give each brush its character.

I also feel it is important that these techniques do not disappear. When they are recognized and appreciated in modern beauty, it helps us continue practicing them and pass them on to the next generation of artisans and it ensures that they are not forgotten.

How do you hope customers feel when they use or display these pieces?

I hope they enjoy using them! Maybe they can feel the love that has been put into making them and I hope that with Sonia’s help, they have a better idea of the amount of work that these brushes require.

How do you feel when traditional Japanese techniques travel into homes around the world through beauty objects?

Knowing these Japanese techniques find their place in someone’s everyday routine feels truly special to us, and we’re deeply grateful to see them appreciated by so many today.

Some of the Traditions Kakishibu brushes are out of stock at the moment but we will hopefully receive a restock for most of them in June 2026.

There is something special coming soon to celebrate this award, please stay tuned if you are interested! Thank you so much for reading, for all your incredible support and all your messages!