Interview

Uno Hake Brush Seisakusho began as a hake (a traditional Japanese brush with a flat wooden handle) brushmaker before later expanding to brushes in general. Today, Michiyo Uno and her mother Chieko manufacture a variety of handmade brushes. Brush-making by hand is a long process that involves many steps: piercing holes in the brush block, setting the hairs, hiding the binding wire, nailing, polishing.... Hairs from different animals are processed, divided and sorted by use. Every step requires patience, attention to detail, and tireless effort. Setting the hairs in the brush block requires particular focus—the hair bundles are folded in half and inserted into the holes, where they are bound in place using a single strand of stainless steel wire. A cover is then put over to hide and protect the wire. “You end up with a very sturdy brush with long-lasting hair and just the right amount of give,” says Michiyo.
“A customer who bought a wool facial cleansing brush for herself came back to buy an-other as a gift for a friend, who had just given birth. It’s very gentle on the skin, and she thought it would make a great body brush for the baby.” The Uno family takes great pride in their handmade products made for real people and their everyday lives.