Japan has a 1000 year history of making beautiful handmade artist's brushes. This encompasses both the traditional Asian 'Zen' method of painting, as well as woodblock printing in the Sumi-e tradition.

Goat hairs have special tapering cross-sections and are covered with miniature scales which pick up oaint or ink in the single dip 'Jofuku' style. 

The Asian Mountain Horse is a large deer which produces a stiffer fibre than goat.