Nara Brushes Stationary Nara Prefecture Cooperative Union Nara Brush Association 80-1 Nakatsuji-cho, Nara, Nara Prefecture tel 0742-22-3024 Background When the monk Kukai journeyed to China some 1,200 years ago, he made a study of brush making there and on his return, he passed on his knowledge to people living in the province of Yamatokoku that is now called Nara Prefecture. This marked the beginnings of brush making here. In modern times brushes came into wider use with the establishment of school education from the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912), and the demand for quality brushes has never ceased. Ten varieties of animal hair are used for these brushes including sheep's wool, the hair of the horse, deer, raccoon dog, weasel, sable, rabbit and squirrel. Using time honored techniques, there are now 45 firms employing 120 staff, 10 of whom are government recognized Master Craftsmen.