A traditional Chinese calligraphy brush handle is usually made from bamboo. Bamboo is light, strong, naturally available across much of East Asia, and comfortable to hold, making it an effective material for the long shaft of an ink brush.
The Chinese writing brush, or maobi, consists mainly of a handle and a bundle of animal hair fixed at its tip. The handle provides control while the flexible hairs carry ink and produce lines that can vary from extremely thin to broad. Brush makers classify brushes by size, hair softness, hair length, and the combination of fibers used.
The brush has a very long history. The earliest intact example was found in 1954 in a Warring States-period tomb near Changsha and dates to a period between 475 and 221 BCE. That early brush had a wooden stalk and a bamboo tube securing the hair bundle, showing that historical construction was not identical to the modern standard.
Bamboo is traditional, not exclusive. Luxury or specially commissioned handles may use jade, ivory, precious metals, red sandalwood, or decorative varieties of bamboo. Plastic and metal are modern alternatives, while wood can appear in historical or specialized designs.