I didn’t know I needed this article. Thank you for writing Wil! I’m a sucker for a good Japanese pencil. What’s the best ‘B’ for writing? Or does it depend on the person? I find HB a bit scratchy sometimes
It's tough to say, as I find my own preferences change from time to time. On most days, I actually prefer a bit of tooth and grittiness. It helps with control so that the pencil tip doesn't slide around too much.
It's hard to go wrong with Hi-UNI or Tombow MONO100. But I am partial to Kitaboshi and vintage Colleens. All of which are very accessible to you in Kyoto. Good luck and thanks for reading.
I love sketching with woodcase pencils. My current favorite is Mitsu-bishi 9852EW which proclaims “Master Writing *HB*” After reading your piece, I eagerly got Google Translate to decipher the Japanese text only to discover a sadly non-poetic “recycled pencils/EcoMark products.” I loved learning about the family-run business that you visited. Wonderful post!
A most delightful read. As an unapologetic writer-by-hand, I've endured jeers from those who would be "at sea" without a keyboard but I never let that faze me or dim the sheer pleasure of writing with a pencil on crisp, white paper. I keep several pencils on my desk and several more stored in a zippered leather case designed solely for pencils. I'd love to add those pencils you write about to my collection and enjoy writing and sketching with them.
Japan is just so 😍 I've visited the art supply store in Tokyo which has I think 5 levels. I wanted to set camp there and asked my husband to pick me up in three weeks again. I wish i went to the pencil Factory. I think i didn't know about it back then. Too bad.
Was the store in Ginza by any chance? Japan really is a haven for stationery lovers and artists. I completely understand that feeling of wanting to soak everything in at once. For my next trip, I’m already planning built-in recharge time at coffee shops because I know I’ll get overwhelmed in the best way.
The store name is Sekaido. It's artist Walhalla 😂✨ I bought Holbein Acryla Gouache en masse cause they sold the big tubes and they were so cheap in comparison to what I pay here. Hehe
Thank you for the reminder, I keep missing Sekaido when I visit. And what a name for an art supply store: "Hall of the World." It's beautiful and poetic.
I truly wish we had more time in this world to nerd out on all the wonderful tools we use to create. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts Volta.
Tokyo is an enchanting place. Everything feels just a little elevated, almost mesmerizing. It takes a certain kind of curiosity to wander down the less-travelled path to a small, family-owned pencil maker.
I hope you enjoy your trip. Perhaps our paths may cross on some busy crosswalk and we’ll share a fleeting moment of sonder with a glance.
Stumbled upon it as I was trying to find information about Colleen Pencil Co. because they used to manufacture my favourite colour pencils when I was 12. I still have the last bits of those colour pencils from that time, and wanted to buy new ones when I visit Japan. Turns out the company folded in the 90s. The colour pencils are still around but made in Thailand using "Japanese technology".
But thank you for the recommendations of pencils that I can look for in my trip.
Thank you for the update on Colleen, it's sad to learn but I am glad someone cares enough to revive them. I wonder if we have the same set? Circa 1980s, red and seafoamy green cardboard packaging and of course, that dreamy, hypnotic, pyramid-like Colleen logo.
My partners has a handful of the JIS ones poking through her pencil cup: remnants from her own childhood set. They are so nostalgia inducing. My kids get confused and ask me what's wrong when we colour together.
You could try finding vintage sets at thrift stores and second hand stores. I've had luck with Showa-era retro (昭和レトロ) stationery outside of city centres and more rural areas. Good luck in your search Andrea.
The one I have is the Colleen 24 colours double ended pencils in the mustard yellow packaging. I used it a lot as a child. I think the one left in my hometown was the 3rd or 4th set I’ve used then. Now it’s all short and stubby. I think I’d stopped using them because I couldn’t find a replacement. Now I’ve been seeing those and the sea foam packaging ones in Malaysia. But those were Thailand made.
It saddens me that the Japan made ones are no longer available.
My trip to Tokyo is a company trip. Just a few days. Don’t think I could venture out outside the city. It’ll be my first visit to Japan. Looking forward to it.
This is what I love about substack. Where else would someone take you on a glorious tour of a miraculous pencil from another land?
I didn’t know I needed this article. Thank you for writing Wil! I’m a sucker for a good Japanese pencil. What’s the best ‘B’ for writing? Or does it depend on the person? I find HB a bit scratchy sometimes
It's tough to say, as I find my own preferences change from time to time. On most days, I actually prefer a bit of tooth and grittiness. It helps with control so that the pencil tip doesn't slide around too much.
It's hard to go wrong with Hi-UNI or Tombow MONO100. But I am partial to Kitaboshi and vintage Colleens. All of which are very accessible to you in Kyoto. Good luck and thanks for reading.
This is so thoughtful and insightful. Thankyou.
I love sketching with woodcase pencils. My current favorite is Mitsu-bishi 9852EW which proclaims “Master Writing *HB*” After reading your piece, I eagerly got Google Translate to decipher the Japanese text only to discover a sadly non-poetic “recycled pencils/EcoMark products.” I loved learning about the family-run business that you visited. Wonderful post!
A most delightful read. As an unapologetic writer-by-hand, I've endured jeers from those who would be "at sea" without a keyboard but I never let that faze me or dim the sheer pleasure of writing with a pencil on crisp, white paper. I keep several pencils on my desk and several more stored in a zippered leather case designed solely for pencils. I'd love to add those pencils you write about to my collection and enjoy writing and sketching with them.
Japan is just so 😍 I've visited the art supply store in Tokyo which has I think 5 levels. I wanted to set camp there and asked my husband to pick me up in three weeks again. I wish i went to the pencil Factory. I think i didn't know about it back then. Too bad.
Was the store in Ginza by any chance? Japan really is a haven for stationery lovers and artists. I completely understand that feeling of wanting to soak everything in at once. For my next trip, I’m already planning built-in recharge time at coffee shops because I know I’ll get overwhelmed in the best way.
Thank you for sharing, Lena. Well met.
The store name is Sekaido. It's artist Walhalla 😂✨ I bought Holbein Acryla Gouache en masse cause they sold the big tubes and they were so cheap in comparison to what I pay here. Hehe
Thank you for the reminder, I keep missing Sekaido when I visit. And what a name for an art supply store: "Hall of the World." It's beautiful and poetic.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this! It all makes why I love wooden pencils, they're just so magical!
I truly wish we had more time in this world to nerd out on all the wonderful tools we use to create. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts Volta.
I’m going to Tokyo next month. I wonder if I have time to visit the Kitaboshi pencil factory.
Tokyo is an enchanting place. Everything feels just a little elevated, almost mesmerizing. It takes a certain kind of curiosity to wander down the less-travelled path to a small, family-owned pencil maker.
I hope you enjoy your trip. Perhaps our paths may cross on some busy crosswalk and we’ll share a fleeting moment of sonder with a glance.
🤝
This is such a beautiful read.
Stumbled upon it as I was trying to find information about Colleen Pencil Co. because they used to manufacture my favourite colour pencils when I was 12. I still have the last bits of those colour pencils from that time, and wanted to buy new ones when I visit Japan. Turns out the company folded in the 90s. The colour pencils are still around but made in Thailand using "Japanese technology".
But thank you for the recommendations of pencils that I can look for in my trip.
Thank you for the update on Colleen, it's sad to learn but I am glad someone cares enough to revive them. I wonder if we have the same set? Circa 1980s, red and seafoamy green cardboard packaging and of course, that dreamy, hypnotic, pyramid-like Colleen logo.
My partners has a handful of the JIS ones poking through her pencil cup: remnants from her own childhood set. They are so nostalgia inducing. My kids get confused and ask me what's wrong when we colour together.
You could try finding vintage sets at thrift stores and second hand stores. I've had luck with Showa-era retro (昭和レトロ) stationery outside of city centres and more rural areas. Good luck in your search Andrea.
The one I have is the Colleen 24 colours double ended pencils in the mustard yellow packaging. I used it a lot as a child. I think the one left in my hometown was the 3rd or 4th set I’ve used then. Now it’s all short and stubby. I think I’d stopped using them because I couldn’t find a replacement. Now I’ve been seeing those and the sea foam packaging ones in Malaysia. But those were Thailand made.
It saddens me that the Japan made ones are no longer available.
My trip to Tokyo is a company trip. Just a few days. Don’t think I could venture out outside the city. It’ll be my first visit to Japan. Looking forward to it.
This was such a fascinating article to read. It may have resparked a creative flame that has long died, working in the commercial art field.
Now if only I could hurry home and pick up a pencil...
This means a lot, thank you.
I believe the embers are always there. I’ve got a paper fan and some beautiful Kitaboshi pencils with your name on them.