The making of Toyohashi brushes is said to have started in the late Edo period (the end of the 18th century), when the lord of Yoshida clan, who controlled this area, brought in a brush making workman from Kyoto and asked him to teach brush making techniques to low ranking samurai as their by-work. Toward the end of the 19th century, one of the workmen made an improvement to the old-style brush of Shinmaki-fude (with a core) and introduced a coreless brush called Suihitsu with the same structure as the brushes being made today, which formed the foundation of brush industry in Toyohashi. Toyohashi is ranked as the second in the nation’s brush production and as the top in producing expensive brushes for calligraphers. At the present time, 375 workmen are engaged in making brushes, following traditional methods and techniques. Toyohashi brush was nationally designated Traditional Craft Product in 1976. Brushes for calligraphy, painting, and handicraft are being made today.