Nara Brush Tanaka: Meet the Maker, Finish a Brush
Explore handmade Nara writing brushes and book a short session to finish one yourself near Gango-ji.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Nara Brush Tanaka: Meet the Maker, Finish a Brush
Nara Brush Tanaka is a small maker and shop in the older streets of Naramachi, close to Gango-ji. Owner Chiyomi Tanaka describes making brushes by hand for the needs of calligraphers, and offers a session focused on the final stages of assembly rather than a claim that a novice can perform every skilled step. A brush here is not simply a bundle of hair: the selection and blending of fibres determine its spring, ink-holding quality and tip. The shop and the workshop share an address, but the lesson needs an arrangement, so contact the maker before building a day around it.
Understand why a Nara brush feels different
Nara Prefecture describes the craft's selection and patient blending of animal fibres such as sheep, horse, deer and raccoon dog hair. Different lengths and resilience are combined for a particular writing purpose. Tanaka's own process guide separates hair selection, cleaning, blending, building a core and finishing into many steps. In the shop, ask which brush suits a script or a beginner's hand instead of assuming a single product works for every calligraphy style. The workshop is a chance to see the craft's final stage; it is not the entire production process compressed into half an hour.
Choose between two finishing sessions
The maker describes an A session that uses funori seaweed glue, combs and hemp thread to shape and finish the brush tip, taking about 30 minutes. The longer B session, about an hour, starts by preparing the brush shaft for the tip before the same finishing work. Tanaka says participants can take the completed brush home that day. One person can apply; the operator lists up to 15 people inside the shop and asks larger groups to discuss another venue and extra venue costs.
Check the course price directly
Published amounts do not agree. The operator's workshop page says A ¥2,000 and B ¥3,000 before tax; a Nara Prefecture craft-experience listing updated 27 February 2026 still says A ¥1,600 and B ¥2,200; a separate prefectural tourism page says ¥2,400 and ¥3,000; Nara City Tourism's school-trip listing gives ¥1,600 and ¥2,200 including tax. The recent date on the prefectural page does not resolve which rate applies to an independent overseas visitor today. Ask Tanaka to quote the chosen course, tax, materials, any group rate and payment method before booking. The prefecture's craft page says credit cards are not accepted, but confirm the current payment options directly. Do not rely on a directory price as a guaranteed offer.
Make a shop visit distinct from a booked lesson
The shop's own guide lists 11:00–17:00 with irregular closure and gives 090-8483-4018 as the contact number. It offers manufactured brushes for sale and describes demonstrations and workshops by arrangement. The operator also accepts requests to demonstrate the full Nara-brush production process at venues in or outside Nara, subject to discussion; this is a separate arranged demonstration, not part of the short visitor course. The prefecture lists booking by phone, fax or email, no fixed reservation deadline and a 9:00–16:00 experience window on the Nara City school-trip page, while the operator and prefectural facility pages describe shop opening as 11:00–17:00. Confirm the specific date and start time directly. The craft page says there is no dedicated parking. An unplanned browse may be possible when open, but a specific teacher-led session, demonstration or English explanation should be confirmed rather than expected on arrival.
Follow the narrow streets toward Gango-ji
The operator's station directions lead from Kintetsu Nara through Higashimuki, Mochiidono and Shimomikado shopping streets into Naramachi; it estimates roughly fifteen minutes on foot but does not define every starting point with precision. The prefectural craft page gives around twenty minutes from Kintetsu Nara and places the shop about a minute from Gango-ji. These are orientation estimates, not a guarantee. Use 6 Kunodocho on a current walking map and leave a little slack for the old town's small lanes. The shop discourages driving into the narrow streets and points motorists to public parking elsewhere.
What to look for
Handmade writing brushes explained by a traditional craftsperson
Bookable 30- or 60-minute brush-finishing session
Small Naramachi workshop close to Gango-ji
Photo notes
No workshop, product or participant photography is licensed for MyNara. Ask the maker before photographing the shop, workbench, other participants or tools; never reuse photographs from the operator or tourism pages without permission.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 19 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Nara Brush Tanaka — workshop courses, process, duration and group sizes
- Nara Brush Tanaka — shop address, hours and walking directions
- Nara Brush Tanaka — brush materials and twelve production stages
- Nara Prefecture — Nara brush craft characteristics
- Nara Prefecture — craft experience details and one published tariff
- Nara Prefecture tourism — a different published tariff
- Nara City Tourism Association — school-trip price and format
- Official Nara Travel Guide — directory identity