The use of Toyohashi-fude (writing brushes of Toyohashi) dates
from 1804, when a feudal lord ruling the Toyohashi region of
Aichi Prefecture invited Suzuki Jinzaemon, a master brushmaker
in Kyoto, to supply brushes under his patronage, and
consequently production grew in this area as a sideline for
members of the samurai class to supplement their incomes. With
the growth of other types of writing utensils after World War
II, the demand for writing brushes dwindled. Later, calligraphy
lessons were reintroduced to the Japanese school curriculum,
stimulating demand once more. Toyohashi-fude writing brushes
account for 25% of total production in Japan, and as much as 80%
of top quality brushes. Address: , Toyohashi-shi, Aichi