Takao Kawafuji

Kawafuji is relaxed, sociable and perceptive, particularly when compared with Handa. He knows how easily his friend becomes discouraged, angry or absorbed in his work and often responds with teasing rather than excessive sympathy.

Despite his casual behavior, Kawafuji takes his professional responsibilities seriously. He monitors Handa's career and understands that talent alone does not handle exhibitions, competitions and the practical side of working as a professional artist.

He is also pragmatic about the mixture of friendship and business in their relationship. Kawafuji can joke that Handa is a source of income while still showing genuine concern for his wellbeing. Because he has known Handa for years, he can distinguish the public image of a successful calligrapher from the awkward and temperamental person underneath it.

Kawafuji's principal skills lie in managing artists and navigating the professional calligraphy world. He handles Handa's work-related needs, keeps track of competitions and provides information that reaches Handa even while the latter is geographically removed from Tokyo.

He is socially adept where Handa is often awkward. Kawafuji can read situations, deal with different personalities and deliberately provoke Handa when he thinks a more direct approach will produce a useful response.

His familiarity with Handa's work also gives him a strong understanding of the calligrapher's professional development. Although he is not presented as Handa's artistic instructor, he can recognize changes in his friend's style and circumstances from the perspective of someone responsible for his career.

Kawafuji provides the continuing link between Handa's new island existence and his established professional life. Calls and visits from him remind Handa that competitions, exhibitions and other calligraphers continue to exist regardless of his geographical isolation.

He visits the Gotō Islands with Kousuke Kanzaki, the young calligrapher who idolizes Handa but has recently beaten him in a competition. Their arrival forces Handa's professional and personal worlds together: Kanzaki encounters the changed artist living among villagers, while Kawafuji can observe directly how island life is affecting his old friend.

Kawafuji's history with Handa also connects Barakamon with events explored more extensively in Handa-kun. The truth about Handa's school reputation reveals that Kawafuji knew his friend was enormously popular while Handa mistakenly believed his classmates hated him, and Kawafuji allowed that misunderstanding to persist.

Sei Handa is Kawafuji's longtime friend and professional client. Kawafuji manages aspects of his calligraphy career, worries about his wellbeing and understands his difficult temperament better than most people. Their friendship is comfortable enough to include frequent teasing and blunt criticism.

Kousuke Kanzaki is a young calligrapher whom Kawafuji brings to visit Handa on the Gotō Islands. Kanzaki's intense admiration for Handa gives Kawafuji another perspective on the professional reputation his friend has built.

Seimei Handa and Emi Handa know Kawafuji through his longstanding connection with their son and his involvement in Sei's professional affairs.

[Kirie Kawafuji, Takao's mother, is acquainted with the Handa family, further reflecting the long history between the two households.](#spoiler)