The hake brush originally evolved from the writing brush. In the Heian period (794–1185), as sutra and painting scrolls came to be produced, paper needed to be joined and backed (mounted), and it was the daikeishi (master mounters of Buddhist sutras) who began using brushes for this purpose.

Historical records include the Senmen Koshakyo (National Treasure fan-shaped sutra manuscripts) held at Shitennoji Temple, which contain many scenes of people washing items or drawing water at wells and waterside. Among them is a scene depicting the washing of what appears to be a lacquered box, in which two hake brushes are depicted.

In the Muromachi period, especially during the era of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, mounted hanging scrolls became essential to the tokonoma alcove of shoin-zukuri architecture, and paintings depicting craftsmen of the time show mounting artisans (hyogushi) using hake brushes. It is believed that during this period the mounting artisans made their own brushes.
By the Edo period, artisans who specialized in brush-making as their trade first appeared in Kyoto, and later in Edo (Tokyo) as well. Historical records describe Kyoto brushes (Kyo-bake) as soft, while Edo brushes (Edo-bake) generally had a firmer, stronger feel. In the traditional method, hair without unevenness was gathered, the roots were wrapped in thick paper made of layered washi, pressed between wooden boards, and bound — originally with thread twisted from human hair, and later with shamisen string.

The number one cause of hair shedding from a brush is decay of the bristles.

① Paste is drawn up into the bristles held at the base of the brush.

② Since this part cannot be washed, the paste there decays first, and the decay then spreads to the bristles.
③ Once the bristles decay, they become crumbly like soil and begin to fall out.

* For this reason, please be sure to do the following:

① After use, wash the brush thoroughly with a neutral detergent, rinse well, shake off the excess water, and wipe the bristles dry with a towel. Then hang it in a well-ventilated place away from moisture.

② If possible, hang it at least 10 cm away from the wall.