Fudenosato Kōbō, Brush craft museum in Kumano, Japan.

Fudenosato Kōbō is a museum in Kumano dedicated to the making of traditional brushes, displaying numerous examples of calligraphy and makeup brushes throughout its exhibits. The displays show various stages of production and different brush types to illustrate the full manufacturing process.

The museum opened in 1994 and was established to preserve and present the long tradition of brush making in Kumano. Production in the region grew during a period of major educational reforms that expanded demand for writing materials.

The workshop demonstrates how brushes have been made here through generations and the role this craft plays in the local community. Visitors can observe how artisans have perfected their techniques and understand why Kumano earned its reputation for this specialty.

The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and closes on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year period. Entry to the first floor alone is free. From Hiroshima Bus Center, take a Hiroden bus toward Kumano Eigyosho or Kumano Hagiwara for about 45 minutes, then a taxi for about 7 minutes from Kumano Eigyosho.

The giant brush in the permanent exhibition measures 3.7 m long and weighs 400 kg, so it is far larger than any usable brush. It is displayed alongside the Kimura Yōzan collection of about 1,000 brushes, some with lacquer, mother-of-pearl or ivory-carved shafts.