With a Fine Brush

The soft, flexible bark of the windmill palm tree, or shuro, has long been used in Japan for making brooms and tawashi, or body scrub brushes. The use of this local material for brushmaking has dwindled and was nearly lost with time until TAKADA, a Japanese manufacturer that has been handcrafting finely textured tawashi brushes for over 70 years restored the traditional practice.

Using windmill palm trees growing naturally in the Kishu region in Wakayama prefecture, a few select, skilled craftsmen specially harvest the fine bark. No post-harvest chemicals such as pesticides or disinfectants are used in the process. The bark is delivered to the workshop soon after gathering, ensuring freshness, and giving the brushes their signature luster and texture. Despite their rough appearance, Takada’s body brushes are surprisingly soft and supple, making them an essential self care accessory.

The elongated body brush comes on a convenient, curved cypress handle and can be used in two ways: for gentle exfoliating and invigorating as part of the bath or shower routine, or as a dry massage brush, stimulating circulation and improving energy flow through the body.