Watercolour Brush Pen Set

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.

Kansai

The Kansai region includes the second-most populated metropolitan area in Japan with its largest city Osaka. Kyoto and Nara, two of Japan’s former capital cities, are home to important temples and shrines and strongholds of intangible cultural heritage, such as the Kyoto textile weaving skills of Nishijin.