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Our in-house gift wrapping service includes our Italian off-set printed patterned paper, matching Swiss double satin ribbon, foiled sticker seals instead of tape and one card for your message. Kindly note we do not gift-wrap decorative papers, wrapping materials such as ribbon, wrapping paper and greeting cards...

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Japanese Seasons Watercolour Set, Summer

£65.00

Gansai paints are made in Japan using a colour palette specific to Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital during the high middle ages, and codified in a colour dictionary pointing to precise references in nature. If you consider that each colour is so well considered, Gansai paints are not intended, at least in theory, for mixing. Compared to the Western style half pans (think Winsor and Newton), they are presented in large and wide full sized pans, designed to be used straight out the palette, ready to accommodate a generous paintbrush without splitting any bristles. Gansai’s particular strength is its versatility - either opaque, thick and creamy for a texture reminiscent of gouache - even pale and light colours can be laid over dark papers with obvious contrast similar to dry pastels. Add water and the paints resemble Western style watercolours - more give, more luminescence and transparency.

Yamato-e painting, developed in Japan’s golden age, the Heian period, is a classical Japanese style of painting which interprets the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. These highly detailed paintings often depict narratives, landscapes and the four seasons Shiki-e. Many Japanese festivals and rituals follow the seasons - spring is regarded as the first season and a breath of fresh air as buds begin to blossom upon the trees and shoots push their heads through the ground.

Each season comes in a matching box covered in luxury silk screen printed Japanese paper. Each box is made from a different segment of the print and so the pattern may vary. 
Very useful too, a letterpress swatch card featuring each individual colour name is included to be painted in for colour referencing. This can come in handy as appearances can be deceiving and each colour is only revealed once wet and set to paper!
There is no overlap in terms of colours between the 4 season sets, each set includes 20 distinct colours.
We recommend the Aquarella (off-white) and Aquarello (white) for the perfect paper pairing.

Length: 20cm
Width: 15cm
Depth: 1.5cm
Weight: 262g
Material: Gansai watercolour paints, plastic, cardboard, paper 
Included: 20 colours in chiyogami paper presentation box and including a blank letterpress swatch card which can be painted in for colour reference.  
Vegetarian/Vegan: No (contains gelatine glue binder)
Non-toxic

Made in Japan

Colours Included:
58 - Seikin - Blue-gold
213 - Komugi-iro - Wheat
4 - Aka-daidai - Red-orange
43 - Sango-iro - Coral
13 - Yamabuki - Named after the Japanese yellow rose which blooms from April to May. 
66 - Paaru-midori - Pearlescent green
205 - Tanryoku - Light green
5 - Hana-haku-midori - Light green flower
21 - Byakugun - Light blue; in Japanese this colour traditionally describes the pigment made from crushed azurite.  
32 - Kikusa - This literally translates to ‘yellow grass’ despite being very much green. 
19 - Kawagane - Iron skin; when a Japanese sword is made the more flexible interior metal, shingane, is coated in far stronger metal coating - kawagane. 
30 - Kurikawa-cha - Chestnut leather (or skin!) tea
217 - Kujaku-ao - Peacock blue
51 - Komidori - Deep green
209 - Kujaku-midori - Kujaku-midori refers to the iridescent blue-green tones of a peacock’s feathers — a brilliant, jewel-like mixture of turquoise and emerald.
116 - Kurenai - Crimson
29 - Koubai - Japanese Apricot - also known as Japanese plum, this colour is named after much beloved subject matter for painting and poetry in East Asia.
212 - Shinbashi - Aqua blue hue whose name is derived by the colour of Kimonos worn by geishas in the Meiji and Taisho eras. Shinbashi, literally “new bridge”, was a geisha district in Tokyo.
46 - Sora-iro - Sky blue
17 - Asagi - A blue green that shares its name with an ancient breed of Koi which is characterised by striking blue scales. 

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Gift wrapping available

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Japanese Seasons Watercolour Set, Summer

£65.00
FAQ

Do You Offer Gift Wrapping?

Yes, gift wrapping can be chosen before checkout and is a £10 flat fee, which includes a card and envelope for you to leave a message. We use premium materials, our in-house Italian paper and Swiss ribbon and an assortment of branded stickers.

How can I amend my order?

Once placed, orders cannot be modified and the address cannot be changed. This is to avoid errors in processing. If you have made an error, please email to request a cancellation, you can then place a new order with the correct details. Once shipped an order cannot be cancelled, it will need to be returned.

What if something is out of stock?

If an item in your order is unavailable, our team will contact you in writing to let you know and discuss your options. We’ll do our best to suggest alternatives or advise when the item is expected back in stock. During busy seasonal periods, if an item under £10 is out of stock, we’ll issue a refund for that product and send the rest of your order so you receive it without delay.

Can I buy gift vouchers?

Digital Gift Cards can be purchased through our website and are delivered by email, these are redeemable through online purchases only. In-store only gift vouchers can also be purchased by visiting us at our physical store in Covent Garden.

Can I collect my order in store?

Yes, if the items in your basket are available at our shop in Covent Garden, you will be able to select “Pick Up” at that location. Not all items will be available at this location.

Shipping

International shipping

We ship to all Worldwide destinations exclusively using DHL Express. For UK destinations DHL Express is a 24h next working day delivery service.

Dispatch Time

We aim to despatch orders within 48 hours. At busy shopping periods this can take an extra few days. Orders placed after 1pm on Fridays and at the weekend will be sent out Monday at the earliest.

Taxes

Shipping to USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will be sent Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). This means all customs duties, taxes, and handling fees are already covered at checkout—so your order arrives without any unexpected extra charges.

About Us

Choosing Keeping is an independent shop located in Covent Garden, London. We specialise in offering a wide range of stationery and miscellaneous items to cater to all your needs.

We take pride in offering products that inspire creativity and elevate the art of writing. Whether you're looking for a special gift or simply want to treat yourself, we invite you to explore our collection and discover the joy of stationery.

We offer gift wrapping with premium materials, our in-house Italian paper and Swiss ribbon and an assortment of swallow branded stickers. We ship to all destinations worldwide by DHL.

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21 Tower Street,
London, WC2H 9NS (Map)

T: 020 7613 3842
E:info@choosingkeeping.com
@choosingkeeping