Cray-Pas 100th Anniversary: Limited Edition Sets Released

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the beloved "Cray-Pas" brand, a special limited-edition product is now available. This exclusive release honors a century of creativity and color, making it a must-have for art enthusiasts, collectors, and fans of Japanese stationery.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of "Cray-Pas®," Sakura Craypas will release three special edition products starting in late January 2025:

Cray-Pas® Thick 16-Color Anniversary Set
Cray-Pas® Thick 50-Color Set
Washable Beginner Cray-Pas® 6-Color Set

These limited-edition art supplies celebrate a century of color and creativity, making them perfect for collectors, young artists, and fans of high-quality Japanese stationery.

A Lineup of 3 Exclusive Products

This special anniversary collection features a carefully curated lineup of three unique Cray-Pas® sets, perfect for artists, collectors, and fans of premium Japanese art supplies.

About Cray-Pas®: A Proud Legacy of Japanese Art Supplies

Cray-Pas® is a unique drawing medium that combines the strong adhesion of crayons with the blendability of pastels. The name “Cray-Pas” is derived from “Cray” (crayon) and “Pas” (pastel). First introduced in 1925 (Taisho 14), Cray-Pas was Japan’s first Western-style painting material and remains the only one of its kind. Developed by Sakura Craypas, it is a world-renowned innovation in art supplies.

Sakura Craypas has played a leading role in promoting the “Free Drawing Education Movement,” which encourages children to observe the vibrant colors of nature and express themselves freely and creatively through art. In celebration of the Cray-Pas® 100th anniversary, the company continues to innovate and reach wider audiences with three newly released products for various age groups and creative uses.

Cray-Pas® Thick 16-Color Anniversary Set – Limited Edition Design

The Cray-Pas® Thick 16-Color Anniversary Set commemorates the 100th anniversary with a special limited-edition package design. Unlike the regular version, this exclusive set features unique colors and elegant gold foil stamping on the lettering: “CRAY-PAS,” “クレパス,” and “CRAY-PAS 100th Anniversary.”

Available in four pastel-inspired package color options—Light Blue, Lavender, Mint Green, and Coral Pink—the set includes 16 easy-to-use colors ideal for vibrant, expressive artwork. This beautifully designed collector’s item retails for ¥968 (tax included).

Cray-Pas® Thick 50-Color Set – Luxurious Gradient Collection for the 100th Anniversary

The Cray-Pas® Thick 50-Color Set offers a smooth, rich coloring experience perfect for blending and layering techniques. With an expansive selection of 50 vibrant shades, this premium set lets artists fully enjoy the expressive possibilities of Cray-Pas.

Housed in a sleek sleeve case that reveals a stunning color gradient, the set features two sophisticated package options: a striking black box that enhances the color gradation, and a limited-edition off-white anniversary design adorned with gold foil stamping and Sakura’s iconic cherry blossom motif.

Celebrating a century of artistic innovation, this elegant collector’s item combines functionality with timeless Japanese design. Retail price: ¥4,950 (tax included).

Washable Beginner Cray-Pas® 6-Color Set – Safe and Fun for First-Time Artists

The “Washable Beginner Cray-Pas® 6-Color Set” is designed as a first trial art experience that helps young children discover the joy of colors and drawing. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this set uses natural beeswax—harvested from beehives—as a key ingredient, offering a soft texture that glides easily on paper even with light pressure.

The thick, easy-to-grip shape is ideal for small hands still learning to hold objects, while the soft consistency makes it simple to blend colors and explore color mixing. This kid-safe crayon set is washable with water, making cleanup easy from skin, clothes (with exceptions for some materials), tables, and smooth surfaces using a damp cloth.

The set also comes in a user-friendly case for easy access and storage. A perfect starter gift for toddlers, young learners, and parents looking for safe, non-toxic Japanese crayons.
Retail price: ¥990 (tax included).

Special 100th Anniversary Website Now Live

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cray-Pas®, Sakura Craypas has launched a dedicated anniversary website, featuring heartfelt messages from Cray-Pas users, a timeline of the brand’s rich 100-year history, and updates on upcoming events and limited-edition releases.

The site’s main visual showcases a magnificent cherry blossom tree—symbolic of the Sakura Craypas brand—created from individually hand-drawn sakura blossoms designed by Sakura Craypas employees and their family members. This collaborative artwork reflects the diversity of human expression and the limitless creative possibilities offered by Cray-Pas drawing materials.

Stay tuned as new content and events will be added regularly to commemorate this milestone in Japanese art supply history.