Sosaku Japanese Inking Brushes are designed for the application of water-based inks onto wood blocks, a process known as Mokuhanga. The brushes are dense yet springy allowing for a gentle and consistent application.

The long handled hanga bake or printing brush, is designed to move the ink across the uneven surface of the block. The stiff hoghair bristles are tied into the bamboo handle. These brushes are best used for inking up smaller areas of detail on the block. The broad maru bake is for inking larger areas of the block. It looks a bit like a shoe brush and is made of tightly packed and folded horsehair.

The maru bake needs to be conditioned before printing or the coarse cut ends of the hairs will create brush marks in the ink. You can do this by singeing the tips of the hairs on a hotplate or the bottom of a cast iron pan and then brushing over coarse sandpaper or silicon carbide paper. It will work best if soaked for 10 minutes or so before printing. Clean after each session with mild soapy water and store with bristles pointing down.

Product features:

• Stiff natural bristled inking brushes.
• Available brush widths: 20mm & 60mm.
• Hoghair (20mm) / horsehair (60mm) bristles.
• Bamboo (20mm) / cedarwood (60mm) handle.
• Ergonomic handle for easy grip.
• Easy to clean with soap & water.

View our range of Printmaking Inks.