fude

Fude is a brush used for writing and painting in East Asia, most commonly associated with Japan. The word fude (筆) is the Japanese term for brush. Traditional fude have a handle made of bamboo, wood, or plastic, and contain a tuft of bristles bound together at the base. Bristles are typically animal hair—such as goat, horse, or weasel—though synthetic fibers are common in modern brushes. The tip design ranges from a fine point for precise lines to a broad, flat edge for bold strokes; sizes run from small to large to accommodate different scripts and paintings.

Fude are used with ink, typically sumi ink ground from an ink stick with water, and with washi paper or other media used in East Asian art. In shodo, the Japanese art of calligraphy, and in sumi-e, the traditional ink painting, brush technique emphasizes controlled pressure, angle, and motion to create lines that vary in thickness and texture. In addition to traditional tools, contemporary markets offer brush pens and water-based hybrids that imitate a fude’s brush stroke while providing convenient handling.

Culturally, the fude is considered one of the essential tools of the scholar-artisan in East Asia, valued for its ability to convey expressive nuance and life-like energy in a single stroke. It remains in use in schools, studios, and art practices around the world where East Asian writing and painting are taught or practiced.