🏮 Kumano Fude Matsuri

秋分の日熊野筆まつり

Kumano, Hiroshima (Nakamizo Street) · Every year on 25 September

Bon odoriTraditional performing arts

11 days to go
Rooms around Kumano, Hiroshima fill up while the festival is on.

In Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Fude Matsuri (Brush Festival) is held every year on the autumn equinox. It is a traditional festival of which Kumano, the "brush capital" producing about 80% of Japan's brushes, is proud. It is held town-wide to express gratitude to those involved in brush-using culture and to the nature that provides the brushes. The festival's origins date back to 1935, the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Kumano Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It began to commemorate Emperor Saga, one of the Three Brushes of Japan, and to honor the achievements of Inoue Jihei, Otomaru Tsuneta, and Sasaki Tameji, who are regarded as the founders of brush-making in Kumano. Since then, it has been held continuously every year on the middle day of the equinoctial week. On the day, events include a fude kuyo (brush memorial service) for used brushes, a "large-scale seat calligraphy" performance by calligraphers, a direct-sale "brush market," a "calligraphy competition," and distinctive events such as the "Higanbune Fude Odori" (equinox boat brush dance). At the "Outdoor Gallery" and the "Fude no Sato Kobo," visitors can also enjoy events that let them experience brush culture.