Over 100 years ago, the first soft pastels were made in Japan - they were made one by one, carefully mixing the pigments by hand with a small amount of water-based adhesive and making delicate adjustments according to the humidity and temperature of the day.  Today, this same family company, now in its 4th generation, is still making Japan's only soft pastels... in the exact same way.  This is a very small, very devoted, Kyoto-based company: Ohkan Kagaku Kogyosyo, maker of Gondola Pastels.

Gondola Pastels are used by professional artists throughout the world, but they're also a great choice for absolute beginners.  The pastels are short in length (2cm, 0.8") for easy travel and outdoor sketching.  Suitable for both line drawing and coloring.

The 18 colors in this set are particularly tied to the distinct seasons of Kyoto and have names such as "Wisteria Trellis in Byodoin Temple" and "Tadasu Forest Green after the Rain". 

100% made in Japan.  Safety-certified by ACMI in the United States (AP seal).