The "Let's Make a Creature Pencil" workshop was almost fully booked for each session. It was a very fun two-day event, and we were able to successfully complete it. There were a total of 2 participants, ranging from 3-year-olds to 41th graders and adults, from locals such as Karuizawa and Tomi City, and even a family who had come as a tourist from Tokyo. The participants painted the tips of Poyoko's handmade mushroom- or bird-shaped stone-powdered clay pencils. They used a face brush, which they had never used before, to skillfully apply patterns, eyes, and noses. The actual size of the pencils was so small that it was difficult to focus on them in a photo, but I was amazed at how well the participants adapted. By painting on them themselves, the familiar pencils became their own magical pencils.
Well, Poyoko's creature pencils seem to include not only birds and mushrooms, but also dogs, cats, humans, daruma dolls, and more. We would like to hold a second event. Thank you very much to everyone who participated and to Poyoko!! Poyoko's creature pencils are also on sale at our museum shop. If you have a chance to visit Karuizawa, please be sure to stop by the shop!