Kitayama "Tawashi" hemp palm kitchen brush

At a glance

- Shuro (棕櫚) hemp palm fibre; handmade by Kitayama Shoten artisans, Kyoto
- Curated by Kyoto Katsugu of Nishiki Market
- Firm enough for pans and cast iron; gentle enough for ceramics and enamelware

Washing up is not usually worth thinking about. This brush is an exception: the shuro fibre has a particular feel under the hand, firm and slightly springy, and it cleans without scratching in a way that synthetic brushes rarely manage.

Kyoto Katsugu (京都活具) is a specialist kitchenware shop established in 1950 in Kyoto's Nishiki Market, the 400-year-old arcade known as Kyoto's Kitchen. Rather than manufacturing directly, Katsugu curates and commissions tools from the city's network of blacksmiths, woodworkers and fibre craftsmen, selecting each item for balance, durability and everyday practicality. This brush is made by Kitayama Shoten (北山正積商店) artisans using shuro (棕櫚), a hemp palm fibre valued in Japan for its resilience and gentle abrasion. Each brush is made by hand; the fibres are twisted and bound with care, giving the tool a density and evenness that shows. Firm enough to work on frying pans, cast iron and root vegetables, gentle enough for ceramics, enamelware and delicate surfaces. It dries quickly and lasts well with regular use. The kind of tool that earns a permanent place beside the sink.