Of the town of Kumano 's 27,000 inhabitants , most are brush craftsmen . The best time to visit is August , when the annual Brush Festival takes place . When demand for calligraphy brushes declined , Japanese companies began producing high - end makeup brushes . Its inscription reads : `` A brush dances to the wind of the heart . '' This turns out 15 million brushes a year -- 80 % of Japan 's total brush production .
Of the town of Kumano 's 27,000 inhabitants , most are brush craftsmen . The best time to visit is August , when the annual Brush Festival takes place . When demand for calligraphy brushes declined , Japanese companies began producing high - end makeup brushes . This turns out 15 million brushes a year -- 80 % of Japan 's total brush production .