What does "kenmo" (mixed-hair) mean, and why do so many brushes combine multiple types of hair?

Kenmo (兼毛) means "combined hair" — a brush built from two or more hair types rather than a single material.

Typically, a stiffer, coarser hair (horse, raccoon dog, or weasel) forms the inner core, while a softer hair (wool, goat, or sheep) wraps around the outside.

This structure lets the brush hold three times more ink than many Western-style brushes, while still tapering to a sharp, controllable point — combining the ink capacity of a soft brush with the precision of a stiff one. It's a deliberate engineering choice, not a compromise, and it's why kenmo brushes are often recommended as an all-purpose starting point.