According to the shop owner's description, this item was likely manufactured after the 1970 Expo. Current Arima brushes are made with horse hair and sheep wool, but this brush is made with raccoon dog hair. Raccoon dog hair is known for its ability to hold its shape and its excellent elasticity. There are two types of raccoon dog hair: white and black, with white being considered the higher quality. Because it allows for beautiful brushstrokes, it is mainly used for kana calligraphy. Currently, some brushes are made by mixing sheep wool and horse hair. This is a very old item, and while I have taken great care in its storage, please understand this.