Shuxu "Rat Whisker" Stiff Landscape Brush by Master Xu

The traditional name of this stiff brush is Shuxu, meaning "whiskers of a rat." Despite the name, no rats are harmed—these brushes are crafted from the fine, resilient hairs of domestic animals such as rabbits.

This brush is well-suited for landscape painting, particularly for rendering rocks and trees, as well as for painting flower stems and veins. It also functions beautifully as a calligraphy brush and is a reliable choice for bamboo and orchid painting.

Brush Specifications

• Brush Head Size: 1" (2.5 cm) length x 5/16" (0.8 cm) diameter
• Handle Length: 9-1/8" (23.5 cm)

About Stiff Hair Brushes

Stiff hair brushes, often made from weasel hair (commonly referred to as "wolf hair" brushes), feature a sharp-pointed tip with excellent spring and responsiveness. These qualities make them ideal for creating calligraphic strokes and fine lines.

Archaeological discoveries in China show that the earliest brushes were all made from stiff hair. Among them, the rat whisker brush is one of the most famous, reportedly favored by Wang Xizhi, the legendary 4th-century calligrapher.

This rat whisker brush is handcrafted by Master Xu and is included in the student value pack for my online painting class.