The world is filled with infinite shades of color, and while what objects and thoughts each hue invokes in the mind varies for every individual, how refreshing would it be to have an entire palette of colors named after all that brings happiness to the world? Putting this idea into action is the Tokyo Seeds colored pencil set by Felissimo, a set of 500 colored pencils made by local Japanese artisans in Tokyo.

Source: Felissimo

Tokyo Seeds is actually a renewed version of their original 500 colored pencil set released back in 1992. This time, they’re working with Japanese artisans of small factories in Tokyo to create easy to hold, square-shaped colored pencils with 3.5mm-thick lead. The lead is manufactured in Kofu, Yamanashi, while the colored pencils are crafted in factories in Katsushika and Arakawa, which are areas known to be the hub of Japan’s woodworking industry.

Finding out what the shades are called is also part of the fun, and you’ll see unique names like “New Bike,” “Morning Cuddles,” and “Mint Mojito” that make us all conjure happy thoughts of some of the best things in life.

Source: Felissimo

Source: Felissimo

Purchase for the 500 colored pencils is subscription-based, and a set of 20 colored pencils will be sent every month for 25 months. This is partly to accommodate for the time it takes for the small group of artisans to craft each pencil. Each monthly set is put together under themes like “Spring,” “Wanderlust,” and “Party,” and also comes with a pencil case, an information card, and some craft paper. There’s also a one-time delivery option for those who’d rather have their colored pencils all at once.

Source: Felissimo

Source: Felissimo

Since each colored pencil is made by Tokyo’s local artisans, the price for a complete set of 500 colors is much more expensive than a coloring set you might typically find at the store. For the whole Tokyo Seeds set you’ll have to pay 2,808 yen (US$25) a month, which, over the course of 25 months will add up to approximately $625 in total.

If price isn’t an issue for you when it comes to artisanally crafted tools for art, awesome. But if you want a similarly unique coloring experience without the splurge, you can also try heading over to a Seria store in Japan to get colored pencils featuring traditionally Japanese colors for just 100 yen (US$1)!

Source: Felissimo

Pre-orders are already being in accepted in Japan, and the 500 colored pencils will be available on Felissimo’s global site in early March. If you’re interested, you can enter your email to be notified of its official release, and find out more on their official website.

Source: Felissimo


By - grape Japan editorial staff.