Best Calligraphy & Sumi Brushes of 2025

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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Calligraphy and Sumi brushes are essential tools for anyone interested in the art of writing. These brushes are traditionally made with natural hair and bamboo handles, allowing for a smooth and precise stroke. Calligraphy brushes are typically used for lettering, while Sumi brushes are used for painting and drawing. The unique shape and texture of each brush allows for a range of strokes, from fine lines to bold, sweeping marks. Whether you're a professional calligrapher or a beginner looking to explore a new art form, Calligraphy and Sumi brushes are a must-have in your toolkit.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

I-MART Chinese Calligraphy Set Cover #TOP 1
I-MART Chinese Calligraphy Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Whaline 18Pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set Cover #TOP 2
Whaline 18Pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
MEGREZ Medium Calligraphy Brush Cover #TOP 3
MEGREZ Medium Calligraphy Brush
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Calligraphy & Sumi Brushes

#TOP 1

I-MART Chinese Calligraphy Set

4336938413
Black
10 Piece Set
I-MART Chinese Calligraphy Set Cover
I-MART Chinese Calligraphy Brush, Kanji, Sumi Water Writing, Painting Set

The I-MART Calligraphy Set is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. This set includes four finely crafted brushes, a black ink stick, an ink pad, and a porcelain bowl for mixing ink. These high-quality tools allow you to create beautiful, expressive characters with ease. Whether you are a beginner or a sumi-e enthusiast, this set is a thoughtful gift that can enhance your artistic journey. With everything you need to get started, you can dive into the world of tang calligraphy and enjoy a unique form of self-expression.

What We Like
High-quality craftsmanship
Includes essential tools
Great for beginners
Perfect gift option
#TOP 2

Whaline 18Pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set

W3991
Multicolor
Whaline 18Pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set Cover
Whaline 18Pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set with Writing Paper Roll-up Brush Holder Shanlian Hubi Writing Brush Kanji Japanese Sumi Drawing Brushes for Watercolor Art Ceramic Ink Writing Painting

The Whaline Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set includes 16 brushes in different sizes, an ink writing paper, and a roll-up brush holder. The brushes have different features and functions, and are made of high-quality materials. They are easy to use, clean, and durable. The set is suitable for beginners to use in calligraphy and artists to use in painting, and it is a perfect gift for art lovers.

What We Like
Includes 16 brushes, ink writing paper, and roll-up brush holder
Made of high-quality materials
Easy to use, clean, and durable
#TOP 3

MEGREZ Medium Calligraphy Brush

CHYSTD-MIXBRUSHM
Multicolor
1 Count (Pack of 1)
MEGREZ Medium Calligraphy Brush Cover
MEGREZ Chinese Calligraphy Brush Kanji Japanese Art Sumi Writing Painting Drawing Practicing Brush for Students and Beginners, Wolf Sheep Mix Brush, Medium

The MEGREZ Calligraphy Brush is designed for students and beginners interested in Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. The brush features a mix of sheep and wolf hair, which provides excellent water absorption and ink storage, making it easier for you to create smooth, flowing strokes. Its lightweight resin holder allows for easy control, giving you the confidence to practice your skills. With a hair length of 1.38 inches and a total length of 10.24 inches, this medium-sized brush is perfect for various writing and drawing tasks. Remember to prepare the brush by soaking it in warm water before use to ensure optimal performance.

What We Like
High-quality mixed hair
Lightweight and easy to control
Good water absorption
Perfect for beginners
#TOP 4

SEAMEW 10-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set

SEAMEW
Brush-V1
Brown
1 Count (Pack of 1)
SEAMEW 10-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set Cover
SEAMEW 10-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set Sumi Brush Set- Premium Writing Brushes with Roll-up Bamboo Brush Holder

Experience the art of Chinese calligraphy with the SEAMEW Calligraphy Brush Set. This set includes 12 high-quality brushes, meticulously crafted to provide precise and smooth brush strokes. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this set is perfect for calligraphy, watercolor, writing, painting, and drawing. Create awe-inspiring art with ease using our premium brushes. The smooth handle design ensures a comfortable grip for extended creative sessions, and the tightly reinforced brush heads provide durability for long-term use. Share the joy of art with your loved ones by gifting them this brush set. Keep your brushes organized and protected with the included roll-up bamboo brush holder.

What We Like
Precise brush strokes
Versatile for various art mediums
Comfortable grip
#TOP 5

Zonon Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set

Zonon-Chinese Calligraphy brush-90
Black
1 Count (Pack of 3)
Zonon Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set Cover
3 Pieces Chinese Calligraphy Brush Chinese Brush Pens Japanese Calligraphy Brush Sumi Drawing Brush Traditional Wooden Watercolor Ink Brush for Beginner Watercolor Painting Tools (3 Sizes)

The Zonon Calligraphy Brush Set includes three brushes of varying sizes, perfect for all your writing and painting needs. Each brush is crafted from durable ebony and lightweight bristles, ensuring a comfortable grip while you create. Their versatility allows you to explore Chinese calligraphy, painting, and drawing, making them ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike. With excellent craftsmanship, these brushes resist shedding and are easy to clean, ensuring they last through many artistic endeavors. You'll find that shaping the brushes with your fingers and using them with ink or watercolors is simple, leading to beautiful art results.

What We Like
Multiple brush sizes available
Durable and lightweight materials
Versatile for various art forms
Easy to clean and maintain
#TOP 6

12-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set

Multicolor
Medium
12-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set Cover
12 Pieces Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Painting Writing Brushes Watercolor Brushes Set Kanji Japanese Sumi Painting Drawing Brushes Kanji Art Brushes with Roll-up Brush Holder

The 12-Piece Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set includes brushes made of different materials and sizes for multiple uses. These brushes are made of durable materials with smooth handles, tightly reinforced brush heads, and are comfortable to use. They are perfect for Chinese calligraphy, watercolor, kanji Japanese sumi, writing, painting, and drawing. Additionally, it comes with a roll-up brush holder for easy storage. It's an ideal gift for artists, art lovers, and beginners to improve their calligraphy writing or watercolor painting skills.

What We Like
Durable materials with smooth handles and tightly reinforced brush heads
Multiple brushes made of different materials and sizes for various uses
Suitable for Chinese calligraphy, watercolor, kanji Japanese sumi, writing, painting, and drawing
#TOP 7

Corciosy Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Gift Set

Corciosy-232
13PCS
Corciosy Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Gift Set Cover
Corciosy Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set,Professional Sumi Water Writing, Japanese Painting Set for Beginners

If you are interested in Chinese culture and Chinese characters, then the Corciosy Calligraphy Brushes Set is perfect for you. This set includes 4 Chinese calligraphy brushes, 100g of black liquid ink, an ink stone, an ink stick, a Chinese brush rest, a porcelain bowl, a reusable magic cloth water, and 30 sheets of rice paper for practice. It is a great starter set for beginners and lovers of calligraphy. The set provides a full range of tools needed for ink writing and painting. The elegant experience of practicing Chinese calligraphy can help you calm your mind, reduce working pressure, cultivate morality, and optimize your temperament. Additionally, it is also suitable for writing Japanese and Kanji characters. This set makes a wonderful gift for anyone interested in Chinese writing, and it comes in safe packaging with timely delivery.

What We Like
Full set included
Great starter set
Elegant experience
#TOP 8

Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set with Bamboo Pen Holder

Huakaile
20220211052
3 Count (Pack of 1)
Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set with Bamboo Pen Holder Cover
Huakaile 3 Sizes Chinese Writing Brushes, Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set, Chinese Painting Ink Brushes with Bamboo Pen Holder, Traditional Chinese Art Sumi Brushes (large, medium, small size)

This Chinese Writing Brush Set includes three sizes of brushes (large, medium, small) with exquisite workmanship and durable materials. The nib is made of high-quality hair, and the shaft is made of superior bamboo. The set is easy to clean with a lanyard design for washing, drying, and placement. These brushes can be used for Chinese calligraphy, painting, watercolor painting, landscape painting, ink painting, flower and bird painting, bamboo leaf painting, and more.

What We Like
Set of 3 brushes in different sizes
Exquisite workmanship with Chinese characters and wood grain patterns
Durable materials made of high-quality hair and superior bamboo
#TOP 9

PH PandaHall 12pcs Chinese Calligraphy Set

wh-AJEW-PH0002-08
Multicolor
12 Piece Set
PH PandaHall 12pcs Chinese Calligraphy Set Cover
PH PandaHall 12pcs No Ink Chinese Calligraphy Set, 8 Styles Grid Brush Water Writing Cloth Paper, 3pcs Sienna Chinese Traditional Calligraphy Brushes and Water Dish for Chinese Couplets 17x13 inch

The PH PandaHall 12pcs Chinese Calligraphy Set is specially designed for beginners of Chinese calligraphy. The set includes 8pcs Chinese writing magic cloth, 3pcs calligraphy brushes pen, and 1pc spoon shape ink tray container. The water writing cloth is 17 x 13 inch, designed to avoid ink staining your table or hands. With Chinese brushes in different sizes and calligraphy papers in different styles, the set is practical and multifunctional, allowing artists, art lovers, and beginners to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture. The set is also a desirable gift for calligraphy lovers.

What We Like
Specially designed for beginners of Chinese calligraphy
Water writing cloth avoids ink staining your table or hands
Set is practical and multifunctional
Suitable for Chinese calligraphy, Chinese characters, writing, painting, and drawing
Desirable gift for calligraphy lovers
#TOP 10

Shanlian Hubi Writing Brush Calligraphy Brush Set

6540947203071
Multicolor
small
Shanlian Hubi Writing Brush Calligraphy Brush Set Cover
Corciosy 10pcs Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Set, Sumi Brushes,Writing Brushes with Roll-up Bamboo Brush Holder & Magic Water Writing Cloth No Ink Calligraphy Brushes Practice Set

The Shanlian Hubi Writing Brush Chinese Calligraphy Brush Set includes 10 pieces of brushes for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. The set has bear hair, wool hair, weasel hair, and Jian Hao (Goat + Wolf hair) brushes suitable for regular script in big middle small characters. The brushes are easy to clean, durable, and suitable for all types of paintings. It is a perfect gift for beginners and lovers of calligraphy and painting. The set contains high-quality professional brushes that every artist should own.

What We Like
Includes 10 pieces of brushes suitable for regular script in big middle small characters.
Easy to clean, durable, and suitable for all types of paintings.
Perfect gift for beginners and lovers of calligraphy and painting.
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is so unique about the sumi-e brush?

The sumi-e brush is unique because it is made from natural materials of the finest quality. The handle is typically made from bamboo, and the bristles are a combination of various wild animal hairs, such as rabbit, wolf, badger, horse, and deer. This combination of materials creates a brush that is ideal for the art of sumi-e.

2. What is the difference between sumi-e and Chinese brush painting?

Sumi-e and Chinese brush painting (CBP) have slight differences in approach. CBP focuses on shades of ink and the use of lines, while sumi-e, the Japanese form, emphasizes the simplicity of lines. While both art forms use similar brushes and ink, the artistic techniques and styles vary slightly between the two.

3. Why are Japanese calligraphy brushes so expensive?

Japanese calligraphy brushes can be expensive due to the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in their production. High-end brushes require every hair to be perfectly aligned, and any imperfections must be meticulously removed. This level of craftsmanship, coupled with the use of high-quality materials, contributes to the higher cost of Japanese calligraphy brushes.

4. Why is sumi ink so expensive?

Sumi ink is expensive because it undergoes a lengthy production process. It comes in a solid form and takes several years of production before the ink sticks can be sold. The most expensive sumi ink sticks require an even longer production time. The combination of time, craftsmanship, and the use of high-quality ingredients contributes to the higher cost of sumi ink.

5. How much is the most expensive calligraphy brush?

The most expensive calligraphy brushes are custom-made for master calligraphers and can cost over $1,000. These brushes are meticulously crafted and each brush tip is made by a single artisan. The delicate process of creating such a brush can take over a month to complete, which adds to its value.

6. Is sumi ink the same as calligraphy ink?

Sumi ink is an excellent choice for calligraphy, especially for beginners. It is a type of black calligraphy ink that is commonly used. However, it is important to note that sumi ink usually comes in a solid form and needs to be transferred to a small screw-top container for use in calligraphy.

Editor's Notes

During our calligraphy & sumi brush research, we found 24 calligraphy & sumi brush products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,759 customer reviews through our big data system to write the calligraphy & sumi brushes list. We found that most customers choose calligraphy & sumi brushes with an average price of $18.62.

The calligraphy & sumi brushes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of calligraphy & sumi brushes, including I-MART, Whaline, MEGREZ, SEAMEW, Zonon. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 225 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.