Shuro Palm Kitchen Brush

At a glance

• Soft, springy shuro (palm) fibres clean effectively while staying gentle on coated pans and enamel
• Densely hand-wound fibres and a 1.6mm stainless-steel core give the brush firmness and durability
• Angled cleaning face, centre drying hole and hanging cord make everyday washing and drying easier

Shuro palm fibre gives this brush an unusual balance: soft enough for more delicate cookware, but springy and dense enough to loosen food and residue effectively.

Kyoto Katsugu developed it for everyday washing across cookware including coated frying pans and enamel pots, where a harsh synthetic scrubber may be too aggressive. The angled face allows more of the fibre surface to meet a pan or plate at once, while the central opening helps air circulate through the brush after use.

The construction is designed for repeated use too. Each brush is made by hand by tawashi specialist Kitayama Masazumi Shoten, with the amount and density of fibre adjusted by feel. That density matters: too loose or too tightly packed and the shuro loses the spring that gives the brush both firmness and cleaning strength. A substantial 1.6mm stainless-steel core helps the brush retain its shape through regular use.

Its cleaning surface is made from natural shuro palm fibre rather than synthetic sponge or plastic bristles. Together with the durable construction, this makes it a reusable washing-up tool designed to stay in regular use rather than a disposable kitchen sponge.

A hanging cord and open centre make it easy to rinse, drain and leave to dry beside the sink between uses.