I discovered kakishibu dyed bristles a long time ago and I instantly fell madly in love with them! Not only because of all that they represented, but I really loved how these particular bristles performed and I am so grateful that we can showcase them in our permanent Traditions Kakishibu series! I love these bristles so much that I actually wish I had a version of every brush I own bundled with kakishibu‑dyed goat bristles!
What are kakishibu bristles ?
Kakishibu bristles are natural goat bristles that have been dyed using the tannin of the persimmon fruit. Technically, this process gives the bristles a very distinct kind of grip, the bristles are determined, strong, yet they remain gentle on the skin.
There’s also a sense of calm in the way these bristles move. It’s hard to put into words but I find these bristles deeply soothing, almost therapeutic.
How is the kakishibu process done ?
As you may know already, it’s possible to transform natural bristles in order to change their softness, performance, or aesthetics.
I already have several posts about kakishibu brushes so I just wanted to add that this kakishibu dyeing technique is carried out by Mr. Fujimori Uematsu, CEO and Founder of Koyudo, for whom dyeing bristles is a passion.
It’s a time‑consuming craft that requires dedication and a deep understanding of the process.
I know how much joy this craft brings him, and I kept wondering how I could show him my appreciation, and I think that this international recognition makes him really proud.
Beautylish has prepared some questions for him, and we’ve now shared this little interview in a separate post. If you’d like to read it and learn more about him and the whole process, you can find the full interview here, thank you!
I feel there is something profoundly meaningful about objects that are shaped by human hands. Fude are handmade brushes, they are really special because of the work, time and skills they require, but they are even more special to me when they embody materials and techniques that reflect artistry, they aren’t just a tool, but a testament to skill and heritage. When we add the fact that these bristles are so incredibly effective for daily use, it’s the cherry on the cake.
For that reason, I wished that the Traditions Kakishibu brushes could one day receive some kind of official recognition as I sincerely believe that recognition plays a key role in motivating the artisans to preserve and carry forward a particular craft. Traditions in time are lost, unless there is an interest to keep them alive.
With this goal in mind, I thought that a special award would really help. We had previously won a “European Product Design” award for some of our products, so I decided to share everything about our Traditions Kakishibu brushes with the EPDA jury: the handles, the bristles, their performance, all the techniques used and all the incredible people behind the scenes.
While we were waiting for the Jury’s decision, I told the artisans and Beautylish that if we did receive an award, we could celebrate by releasing a special kakishibu set – any excuse is good for me to have more kakishibu brushes! I thought that perhaps we could release a new take on a previous brush set as this would be an opportunity for whoever is curious to compare a brush that features the same material and shape, but a different dye, to finally do so. I suggested this idea more like a joke, or a dream, because I was not expecting to actually receive the award, let alone in two categories.
And then it happened, I’m thrilled to share that our Kakishibu Traditions brushes with the Keyaki handles have received an EPDA award in January 2026 in two different categories.
There’s an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes at every step of their production, so this kind of recognition means so much to everyone involved, from the handles to the bristles.
The EPDA recognition honors everything these Traditions Kakishibu brushes embody: the natural goat bristles dyed with persimmon tannin and the shapes of these 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.
This award belongs, first and foremost, to the artisans, their craft is what transforms raw materials into special pieces. For us, this win reinforces a belief that authenticity can resonate far beyond what we’d expect!!! It’s rare to see these traditions honored and we are all so deeply grateful.
And, to mark this very special moment, we are happy to introduce a special limited edition brush set, created as both a tribute and a continuation of this journey. Yes… more brushes in kakishibu bristles!
KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CELEBRATIONS
THE SET
There are 4 face brushes in this set, and they come packaged in a paulownia vertical box. There is something special about this box but I will mention all the details in the dedicated section at the bottom of this post.
The idea here was to release a set of brushes based on designs that we had already released before with saikoho goat bristles, but this time, we would use the kakishibu dye for the bristles. You may recognise their shapes, these are indeed the Alpine face brushes in disguise:
I am really happy and relieved that the ALPINE face brushes were a success since this new set intentionally features the same brushes. Since we were aligning the production of this set with the restock production of the current Traditions Kakishibu brushes, the decision for the brushes had to be taken in January 2026. This was 2 or 3 months before the release of the Alpine Face set.
I think these particular brush shapes are very versatile and work with both dyes beautifully, there are nuances and I will dive into the details further down in the descriptions.
CB1-ALP1 / CB2-ALP2 / CB3-ALP3 – CB4-ALP4
YASHABUSHI VS KAKISHIBU BRISTLES
The Alpine brushes were dyed with yashabushi (Japanese Green Alder) dye, while these Keyaki Kakishibu Celebrations are dyed with kakishibu (persimmon fruit) dye. If you love these shapes, this is the opportunity to try the exact same brushes bundled with the same materials, but a different dye and you will be able to study and appreciate the subtle nuances created by natural dyes, and how these influence the behaviour of the brushes.
The bristles’ feel and performance vary depending on whether they’ve been dyed with yashabushi or kakishibu. But keep in mind that this is also influenced by the particular batch of bristles and the selection process that happens before dyeing. In other words and as I mentioned in the Alpine post, the dye alone doesn’t fully dictate how the bristles will feel or perform. It’s also important to note that these differences in feel and performance are based on my personal observations, they’re not scientifically proven. For the Master Artisan, the primary reasons for dyeing the bristles are aesthetics, and his love for the craft. I have talked about the nuances between yashabushi and kakishibu dyes in detail in the ALPINE face brush post, just in case you would like to read all the details about these bristles.
I’m personally obsessed with kakishibu, there’s something about the way this dye adds body and strength to the bristles that I adore. With the yasha dye, what I appreciate is the airiness it imparts to the bristles. I love both iterations, and even though the shapes and sizes are similar, to me, they are different brushes. This is not going to be the case for everyone.
I really wanted to release this set in two different dyes for anyone who, like me, was curious to compare them. I chose the ALPINE Face Set because those shapes are particularly interesting in both dyes. You will notice that the technical description and measurements of the brushes are the same as the ALPINE brushes. It’s in the behaviour of the bristles that you will notice some nuances.
KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CELEBRATIONS
THE HANDLES
The brushes showcase the same handles as the Traditions Kakishibu series. The wood we used for the handles is Keyaki Zelkova Serrata – which is native to Japan.
Just like the Traditions series, the artisans also use the wood filling technique with Tonoko (polishing powder), to create the smooth base layer and obtain this super silky finish. It’s important to keep in mind that Keyaki wood naturally shows tiny micro dents, and while this Tonoko powder softens the surface, some of those delicate marks remain, they’re part of the wood’s character and beauty. And even though we added the smoothing step with the Tonoko powder, we can still see the grain of the keyaki wood.
The logo on the permanent Traditions Kakishibu brushes is applied with a mocha shade, while on this special release it is applied with a golden paint. There are no names on the brushes, just the Kumano Fude writing.
KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CELEBRATIONS
THE BRUSHES
THE KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CB1
The bristles of the CB1 are 38mm long. After wash, the brush will open and the working surface (in contact with the skin) will measure approximately 3.5 cm diameter.
The ferrule has a curved shape that tightens the bristles at the base, it gives the brush a little more control at the surface, while still allowing the bristles to flex and move easily.
When you blend or buff with this brush, the bristles follow the structure of the face so smoothly, it really feels like the brush hugs the face. It’s very effective, but it also feels very good.
FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
This brush has a flat surface with curved edges. The shorter bristles all around support the flat working area so the brush works with similar strength across its whole surface. If you are working around the nose, mouth, or eyes, the bristles will flex and adapt naturally, and you’ll get a smooth and consistent blend.
This is an “all-over” type of brush, to pair with a finishing powder, a bronzer, or just for a final blend at the end. Just like with the ALP1, the large surface should not intimidate you because the brush gives such good feedback, you feel where the bristles are working and you can target the area and adapt the pressure either for a soft blend or a more intense buff.
CB1 versus ALP1
We used saikoho grade bristles in both of these brushes, but the dye and the dyeing processes are very different.
Both brushes are airy and open up nicely. However, the bristles on the CB1 are going to feel more substantial, thicker and sturdier, it feels like it has a denser and stronger core.
While the ALP1 is going to work with more softness and airiness, the CB1 has more strength and grip, it almost feels like a magnetic kind of grip compared to either white, brown or yasha dyed goat bristles.
The ALP1 delivers a very beautiful and natural blend, it can polish the application very effortlessly. But with the CB1, you’ll obtain a more powerful and deep blend, it’s still airy though, but it feels more compact and fuller in comparison to the ALP1 which is due to the kakishibu dye.
This characteristic is going to apply to some extent to all the brushes in this set when compared to the ALPINE: the ALPINE are going to deliver a more natural diffused application and their kakishibu counterparts a more polished, slightly more intense application.
If I close my eyes while using both brushes, I can tell which one is the yasha and which one is the kakishibu because we feel the stronger grip of the kakishibu bristles, but then, if we play with the pressure and with the product we can obtain a very similar result, it’s just good to know that the kakishibu bristles will work with a bit more determination and intensity.
Now that I have been using the yasha brushes for quite some time (I was using these Alpine prototypes for a long time and I have been using various yasha prototypes since 2021), I have to say that even if I have a preference for the determination of the kakishibu, I also absolutely adore the yasha bristles. The way the yasha bristles pick the product up and then diffuse it in such a natural and effortless way has really conquered my heart. Since I have both brushes, I pair the yasha version with soft more powdery bronzers and loose powders, and I reach for the kakishibu version for harder bronzers or for the final blend (although both brushes are absolutely ideal and versatile for all those tasks).
So, both brushes serve the same purpose: powders, bronzers, blending or polishing. If you are using a product that requires a stronger brush, the CB1 is a better option. If you want a more lightweight diffused application, the ALP1 is the one.
It’s good to know that kakishibu bristles are more resilient, if you need to use more pressure, they will withstand it better versus the finer yasha bristles. I use the CB1 also with hybrid formulas, sometimes with cream bronzers as well when I aim for a soft veil of bronzer. Please keep in mind that since the bristles are long and quite flexible, the brush may not have the strength required depending on the thickness of the cream bronzer and using excessive pressure on natural bristles can weaken them.
THE KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CB2
This CB2 face brush has a front and a back: the ferrule is pinched, slightly concave at the front and convex at the back, the bristles are 32/25mm long.
The main working surface is on the front of the brush, but we can play with the angle and be more precise with the placement. This is a dense brush so we can pair it with products that require a denser/stronger brush. However, thanks to that airiness and spacing in the bristles, it remains versatile with many formulas so it’s not going to stamp the product too heavily.
FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
The CB2 was designed for the application of powders, blushes or bronzers that love a denser brush. However, despite its density, the bristles aren’t too tightly packed together, they open really nicely and this helps diffuse the product smoothly and prevents the harsh edges that denser brushes can sometimes deliver.
It’s also versatile in terms of shape because we can also work with the tip when we need more control.
CB2 versus ALP2
Because of the thickness that the kakishibu dye imparts to the bristles, the CB2 has a fuller body and feels stronger, the bristles are closer together and it will pick up more product. The ALP2 is still going to deliver a strong application and polished result, but it will be softer and more diffused in comparison to the CB2.
You may remember the Japanese Gardens Maki-e brush, it is very similar to these two brushes, however, in terms of behaviour, this mix of WCS (white Canadian squirrel) and saikoho goat bristles is silkier and adapts more easily to the structure of the face, while the CB2 and ALP2 are firmer. The CB2 is the most directional and allows to build intensity faster, but I have to add that it is also extremely soft, these kakishibu bristles almost feel like velvet.
THE KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CB3
The CB3 face brush is very tapered, and it has a pinched ferrule, so it allows several degrees of precision. The bristles are 40 mm long, the point is quite sharp but it has movement and airiness so it’s super easy to target under the eyes, or between the eyes and the nose, or along the sides of the nose. Since the tip isn’t floppy and we can feel where it’s working, it makes the application with this brush surprisingly intuitive.
FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
This brush is amazing for powder, blush, sculpting, contour or highlight.
The tip offers some precision, it’s there when you need it, but it doesn’t lead the application when you don’t want it to. When we work with the sides, the tip won’t interfere or make the application appear uneven.
CB3 versus ALP3
What I love about these very tapered brushes is that they open after wash, they won’t stamp the product because of their airiness, and they also have blending capabilities, we can use this CB3 to either place a product, gently diffuse it or blend it.
The CB3 feels firmer and fuller, it has more strength towards the tip so it allows to work with a bit more control and power versus the ALP3.
THE KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CB4
The CB4 face brush has a front and a back: the ferrule is pinched, slightly concave at the front and convex at the back, the bristles are 20/30 mm long.
If you look at the profile of this brush, it’s shaped like a fingertip: the main working surface is situated on the front of the brush but we can use the back and also the tip of the brush when we need more precision.
FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
The CB4 is like 3 brushes in one, it gives us options and it’s surprisingly capable for its size. It works beautifully with setting powders, highlighter, sculpting, and also blush because the front is actually quite wide for a small brush (2.5cm).
When you go for an application of blush for example, you can use the front of the brush, if you want to apply highlighter you can use the tip of the brush sideways, and if you want to place powder under the eyes (for example), you can use the back of the brush: since the working surface of the back is smaller and that raised ferrule prevents the bristles from bending backwards too much, the brush has more firmness and will work with more precision.
CB4 versus ALP4
The ALP4 and specially this CB4, are an evolution of a prototype that I made with the Master Artisan in 2021, 5 years ago already and with kakishibu dyed bristles! I loved that original design, but that one was very focused on one specific task and didn’t offer as much versatility. By changing the ferrule and tuning some measurements, the entire brush changed. It became more functional, more purposeful, and overall much more fun to work with. Whether it’s the ALP4 or the CB4, these are beautiful little brushes, really versatile.
Due to the texture of the kakishibu dye, the CB4 brush feels slightly fuller and denser, it allows for a little more intensity in comparison to the ALP4, but again, we can play with the product and it’s not necessary to have both, but both are absolutely stunning brushes (and also extremely soft).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Total length (mm) | Bristles length (mm) | Handle length (mm) | Material | |
| CB1 | 180 | 38 | 95 | Kakishibu dyed Saikoho Goat bristles |
| CB2 | 172 | 20/30 | 95 | Kakishibu dyed Saikoho Goat bristles |
| CB3 | 180 | 40 | 95 | Kakishibu dyed Saikoho Goat bristles |
| CB4 | 172 | 32/25 | 95 | Kakishibu dyed Saikoho Goat bristles |
FAQ SECTION
Can these brushes be used with liquids and creams?
Kakishibu dyed bristles can technically be used with all products, powders, creams or liquids. This particular dye adds resilience to the bristles, however, these are saikoho grade bristles, it’s a thin, silky type of bristle and therefore not the most appropriate to pair with creams due to their softness. Using excessive pressure on bristles of this grade, length and airiness can cause them to break.
For that reason, whether these brushes work well with creams depends on:
- the shape of the brush, how short, dense or strong the bristles are for the purpose
- the cream product
- how the brush is being used – a soft blending does not require the same pressure as strong buffing or stippling
Kakishibu dyed eye brushes are usually more appropriate for creams because they are shorter and tend to be denser and stronger. These 4 kakishibu dyed face brushes have long bristles, the bristles have movement and are airy, therefore they are better suited for the use of powder products or hybrid formulas. As long as we don’t need to use excessive pressure, then it will be a good match.
KEYAKI KAKISHIBU CELEBRATIONS
THE KAKISHIBU PAULOWNIA BOX
This set comes in a beautiful paulownia wooden box. Not only is the box vertical, which is really nice and handy, but it is also coated with kakishibu dye, and this is really very special.
As we were spending the day with one of our partners who produces some of our paulownia boxes, we noticed a piece of paulownia wood with a different hue, darker and richer (that little piece of wood is featured in the individual photos of the brushes above as I could bring it home with me). I was immediately curious about this colour, and when I asked, they explained that the colour came from kakishibu dye!
They had no idea that we had kakishibu brushes in our collection, so they were genuinely surprised that we knew exactly what they were referring to, including the particularities of this dye and the history behind it.
Since that day, I knew that one day we would make a kakishibu box together. This special set felt like the perfect opportunity to finally do this.
For this set, we are including the vertical paulownia wooden box as part of the packaging. It is not intended to be a solid, sturdy brush holder, but if you wish, the two parts of the box can be used separately as small brush holders.
The illustration in the front is laser-engraved. The upper section features leaves from the persimmon and the keyaki zelkova trees, while the lower section depicts the calyx of the persimmon fruit.
The Mizuhiki knot recalls the tones of the kakishibu dye and is set against a yellow-green elasticated ribbon.
There are technical constraints, specially when making a vertical paulownia box, and also when working with this coating, but we are so happy that we were able to add the lasered details on the front and the logo with the golden foil on the top.
There is a Wa-in stamp applied on the side. For us here it’s mainly just decoration, but usually when you see a stamp like this, it tells you which sides of the box should connect together.
Paulownia boxes are not all exactly identical, so if the tops and bottoms are mixed, they may not close as neatly. The Wa-in stamps help indicate which sides belong together, and if you have several boxes, they can also help you match each top with its corresponding bottom.
THE DYEING PROCESS FOR THE PAULOWNIA BOX
Applying kakishibu dye to the boxes is quite uncommon, so they first had to explore what was possible and in what sequence the coating should be applied. It was a truly fascinating process, and I cannot thank the artisans enough for their dedication and persistence in experimenting until we achieved the best possible result.
It was also an opportunity to learn how to approach things differently. It certainly takes time, but the result is worth it.
Every box is a little different because the dye is going to hold on differently on the different parts and we are also working on wood that was lasered.
Once the process was completed, since this tannin works best when it’s activated by the sunlight, the boxes had to go for a sunbath outside. It was winter, so we had to wait for some good sunny days!
AVAILABILITY
These brushes are only sold as a set and with the box, it is limited edition and will be available on Beautylish starting on June 16th, 2026 at 10am PT, it will retail for 358 USD.
This set has already arrived and will be shipped right away. However, if you’re also interested in the Traditions brushes that are restocking, please note these are currently backordered. If you’d prefer to receive the Celebrations Set sooner, we recommend placing a separate order. Thank you!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me in the comment section below!
We really hope that you will love this special set and that you enjoyed reading about these brushes and about the box! It makes me so happy to be surrounded by amazing people who love and support the artisans. This recognition means a lot, and it is thanks to your support that we are able to celebrate it today so, from the bottom of my heart, and also on behalf of the artisans, thank you!!!
An award is good because it helps a lot, but for me, the whole point of this journey is to have and to maintain this connection with you all, and with all the people who work behind the scenes (the artisans and all the people involved). It’s what keeps me here and I am deeply thankful because none of this would have happened without your kindness, your trust and all your encouraging messages!
14 comments
This is amazing. I love my Kakishibu brushes they are some of my most loved to have the Alpine in this dye.. great idea! Especially as one whose makeup is darker it allows for my brushes to not look dirty and I love that! Thanks for all your and the artisans hard work. The tools you all bring are special and I enjoy using everytime I do. Congratulations on the award as well.
Thank you Sunsarae! they are just stunning and so functional, having both these characteristics in the same brushes is really wonderful! thank you for always commenting as this means more than you can imagine!
What a great way to celebrate! I saw the first images of the box and absolutely loved the color. These brushes are so beautiful and I can’t wait to see them and try them out in person. I wanted the Alpine set but I decided to wait since I REALLY wanted the Kakishibu. I was a little sad I missed out, but now I’m happy because these have the same shape even if the functionality is slightly different. I do have a question, is it feasible for the artisans to make a Kakishibu dyed brush holder? I can only imagine how beautiful that would be if the paulownia box looks amazing.
Hi Brie!! That’s great news then!! I hope you will love these!
About the brush holder, I am not sure if it is possible because paulownia wood is quite different in the way it absorbs the product, but I will be with the artisans this summer and I will be happy to talk to them about it in more detail and see what the constraints are for other types of wood 🙂 Thank you so much!!!
I’m sure I will .
I was thinking the same since it’s a “softer” wood (for lack of better term or knowledge for me). But I figured it doesn’t hurt to ask if a Kakishibu dye/stain is possible. Thank you for your response!
It’s my pleasure Bri! sending you a big hug!!
Sonia! Congratulations!!!!! How special for you and the artisans to be highly recognized. Such a milestone!
Question, please: Which of your brushes thus far do you recommend for applying loose and/or compact powder foundations? Thank you! I hope you are feeling stronger with each day of your life. Blessings to you, your family, and beloved friends.
Hi Denise, thank you so much!! it is a beautiful milestone indeed, I am happy that it makes everyone so happy and it gives momentum to keep these traditions going, so this is very good!
About your question, I use a lot of them to apply loose or compact powder foundations!
For more precision and heavier coverage I use the Smooth Buffer, then also the Master Face is an option. For larger placement the Buffer Pro. For lighter placement the Alp1 or Niji Pro, or even the TF1 depending on the coverage, if you need more precision, the TF2. But I also use the Sheer Buffer! And the Alp1 and the CB1. I don’t know if you have any of these brushes ? I will also have one coming in the future that I use particularly for that purpose but it will still take some time to be released unfortunately.
I am feeling stronger thank you so so much for your kind thoughts, you know you are a blessing <3 <3 <3 thank you! I hope you are well, healthy and happy!!! I send you the biggest hug ever!!!
Sonia, thank you for the beautiful and exciting launch. I congratulate you and all the people involved in the process. I love to hear how you and the artisans are excited about the projects that you work on. I will definitely be picking this one up. Do you know if any time in the future you will bring back the special edition Mt Fuji face brush? This is the only special edition that I can’t find. It looks like it was also dyed using the Kakishibu dye. And I have one more question.
Sonia, do you consider to release the Celebrations eye set in the future? Thank you again. Have a wonderful warm weekend ❤️
Hi Svetlana, so happy to hear from you!
About the Celebrations eye set, no, it’s not planned at all unfortunately.
About the Mt Fuji brush, this is one of the most frequent requests! So, we are looking into this to see if it could be feasible in the future 🙂
Thank you again so so much for your interest, it’s so true that we are so excited about everything that we make and I really wish you could see them because words will never be enough!
Hi Sonia! Congratulations for all your effort and creativity! Just placed an order for the set, cannot wait to play with it. I really struggle with thin eyeliner brushes, I would LOVE and angled liner brush. I think I would buy 10, no overreaction!
Hi Alexandra, well, I am indeed working on something! 😀 Would you use it with creams, powders or specific liner formulas?
Hi Sonia. Thank you for your reply.
I would use it for powders. Currently, I am using the Bisyodo B-EB-03, which is incredible, do not even feel it on my eyelids. But I would LOVE a Sonia G one to complete my collection 🙂 . Also, cannot wait for a loose powder one. I hope you are well 🙂
That’s so nice, thank you!!! 😀 I am well thank you so much, I hope you are well too!!!