This set of brush pens was handmade by expert brushmakers in Nara Prefecture using a combination of age-old brushmaking techniques and modern design. Unlike standard paint or calligraphy brushes whose pigment must be added separately, brush pens contain water-soluble ink that flows through the synthetic polyester bristle tip. The flexible brush tip also allows for practicing shodō, Japanese brush calligraphy. By changing the pressure applied by the pen to paper, the user can adjust the thickness of the lines they paint, an effect that cannot be replicated using ballpoint pens or felt-tip markers. The translucency of the vivid colours can be changed by adding water to the canvas, creating washed, watercolour-style paintings.
The palatte consists of historical Japanese colours drawn from aspects of nature. The colours include:
Usukurenai – a pale, subtle crimson.
Amairo – a flax-like beige.
Uguisuiro – a muted green inspired by nightingales.
Tsuyukusairo – a bright, dayflower light blue.
Fujiiro – a mauve associated with wisteria.