--- title: "Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen: Nylon Tip, 48 Colors" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-koi-coloring-brush-pen/" description: "Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen explained: a flexible nylon brush, blendable water-based dye ink in 48 colors plus a blender, size, paper, sets and origin." category: "Pens" type: "Brush pen" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-22 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 5 products: - name: "Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen (XBR, single colors and sets)" brand: "Sakura" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel and cap, nylon brush tip, water-based dye ink" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America" model: "XBR" url: "https://www.sakuraofamerica.com/product/koi-coloring-brush-pens/" --- # Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen: Nylon Tip, 48 Colors > The Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen is a brush marker with a flexible nylon tip and water-based dye ink that blends like watercolor. Sakura of America sells 48 transparent colors plus a colorless blender. A French retailer lists it at 13.5 cm long, and a German retailer gives Japan as the country of origin. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-koi-coloring-brush-pen/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-22 ![Capped Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen drawn to scale at 135 mm, white barrel with rose ends, with an inset of the nylon brush tip](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/sakura-koi-coloring-brush-pen-16x9.png) *A Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen, 13.5 cm long per a French retailer (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen (XBR, single colors and sets) | Sakura (by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel and cap, nylon brush tip, water-based dye ink | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen (XBR, single colors and sets)): Japan. Galaxus (Germany) lists Japan as the country of origin for the Koi Coloring Brush 12-color set, XBR-12; we saw it in a search listing on October 22, 2026, as the page blocked direct access. Sakura of America's page doesn't state a country. Source: https://www.galaxus.de/en/s12/product/sakura-koi-color-brush-brushsticks-set-12x-pencils-13452784 ## Key takeaways - Sakura of America lists 48 transparent ink colors plus a colorless blender pen. - The nylon brush springs back to shape, and pressure alone changes the stroke from fine to bold, per Sakura. - JetPens lists an 8.3 mm grip and 9.3 mm maximum diameter; a French retailer gives 13.5 cm (5.3 in) long. - The 6-pen Assorted Gray set had about 1,300 Amazon US ratings averaging 4.7 stars on October 22, 2026. - Galaxus, a German retailer, gives Japan as the country of origin for the 12-color set (XBR-12). ## What is the Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen? **It's a brush marker from Sakura of Japan with a flexible nylon tip and water-based dye ink that blends like watercolor.** Sakura of America says the tip springs back to its original shape, and changing the pressure gives fine, medium or bold strokes. It's sold under Sakura's Koi brand, the same name as its [Koi Pocket Field Sketch Box](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-koi-pocket-field-sketch-box/) watercolors and Koi Water Brushes, which are made to work together. ## How popular is it? **On October 22, 2026, the 6-pen Assorted Gray set had about 1,300 Amazon US ratings averaging 4.7 stars, with 100+ bought in the past month.** JetPens sells them singly and in sets. ## Koi Coloring Brush Pen specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | Sakura Color Products Corporation, Osaka | | Type | Brush marker, snap-on cap | | Tip | Flexible nylon brush | | Ink | Water-based dye, transparent, odorless solvent | | Colors | 48 plus colorless blender | | Length | 13.5 cm (5.3 in) (French retailer) | | Diameter | 8.3 mm grip, 9.3 mm max (JetPens) | | Model | XBR (sets XBR-6, XBR-12, XBR-24…) | | Made in | Japan (Galaxus, 12-color set) | Sakura doesn't publish the pen's length on the pages we read, so we use a retailer's figure. ![Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen drawn to scale: 135 mm long, 8.3 mm grip and 9.3 mm maximum diameter](https://stationerytimes.com/images/sakura-koi-coloring-brush-pen-size.svg) *The Koi Coloring Brush at 1 mm = 3.4 px.* ## How do you blend Koi brush pens? **Use the colorless blender or a Koi Water Brush to pull color into washes, layers and gradients.** Sakura says the odorless water-based solvent makes blending and layering smooth, and its 48 colors are transparent, so layers mix optically. You can also pick up color from one tip with another to make a gradient stroke, or scribble on a palette and lift it with a wet brush. ## What can you use Koi brush pens for? **Sakura names illustration, journaling, lettering, rubber stamping, ombre effects and manga or comic art.** It describes the pens as a convenient way to add color to sketches, journals, cartoons and stamped images. For stamping, you can color directly on a rubber stamp with the brush tip and print it, and the ink's water-based solvent lets several colors sit side by side for an ombre effect. Work quickly so the ink doesn't dry before you press. For lettering, the flexible nylon tip gives thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes, though it is softer than a felt lettering pen. Sakura says the pens aren't evaluated for cosmetic use on skin. ## What paper should you use? **Sakura recommends heavyweight smooth, uncoated paper or watercolor paper.** Lighter paper buckles or pills once you add water, while smooth paper keeps brush edges crisp for lettering. Sakura also says the pens aren't recommended for fabrics that will be washed. ## Which set should you buy? **Start with a 12-color set and add the colorless blender; go to 24 if you color often.** Sakura also sells themed 6-pen sets, such as the Assorted Gray set for shading. Per pen, every set falls in our $ band (under $5). Open-stock pens let you replace the colors you use most. ## How does it compare with other brush pens? **Koi's nylon tip sits between a felt brush and a real bristle brush.** | | Sakura Koi Coloring Brush | [Tombow Dual Brush Pen](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-dual-brush-pen/) | [Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Brush](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kuretake-zig-clean-color-real-brush/) | |---|---|---|---| | Tip | Flexible nylon | Nylon brush + bullet tip | Polyester bristles | | Ink | Water-based dye | Water-based dye | Water-based dye | | Colors | 48 + blender | Large range | Up to 120 in sets | | Best for | Coloring, lettering, stamping | Lettering, blending | Watercolor effects | For more choices, see our [best brush pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-brush-pens/). ## Where are Koi Coloring Brush Pens made? **In Japan, according to Galaxus, a German retailer, which lists Japan as the country of origin for the 12-color set.** Sakura of America's page doesn't state a country; Sakura Color Products is based in Osaka. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are Koi Coloring Brush Pens watercolor markers? They use water-based dye ink that blends with water, so they behave like watercolor. Sakura suggests its colorless blender or a Koi Water Brush for washes and gradations. ### How many Koi Coloring Brush colors are there? Sakura of America lists 48 transparent colors plus a colorless blender pen. Sets come in sizes such as 6, 12 and 24. ### Are Koi Coloring Brush Pens lightfast? Sakura doesn't rate them as lightfast. They use dye-based ink, which generally fades in sunlight faster than pigment, so scan work you want to keep. ### What paper works best with Koi brush pens? Sakura recommends heavyweight smooth, uncoated paper or watercolor paper. Thin paper can pill or buckle when you blend with water. ### Is the Koi brush tip felt or bristle? Neither: Sakura of America describes it as a flexible nylon nib that springs back to shape. ### Are Koi Coloring Brush Pens made in Japan? Galaxus, a German retailer, lists Japan as the country of origin for the 12-color set. Sakura of America's page doesn't state a country. ## Sources - [Sakura of America: Koi Coloring Brush Pens (flexible nylon nib, dye-based ink, odorless water-based solvent, 48 colors plus colorless blender, paper advice, ACMI non-toxic)](https://www.sakuraofamerica.com/product/koi-coloring-brush-pens/) - [JetPens: Sakura Koi Coloring Brush Pen, 24 Color Set (8.3 mm grip, 9.3 mm max, snap-on cap; seen in a search listing)](https://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Koi-Coloring-Brush-Pen-24-Color-Set/pd/16983) - [Mr. Bricolage: Pinceau Koi Coloring Brush Pen rose magenta, Sakura (length 13.5 cm; seen in a search listing)](https://www.mr-bricolage.fr/pinceau-koi-coloring-brush-pen-rose-magenta-sakura.html) - [Galaxus: Sakura Koi Color Brush set, 12 colors (country of origin Japan; seen in a search listing)](https://www.galaxus.de/en/s12/product/sakura-koi-color-brush-brushsticks-set-12x-pencils-13452784) - [Amazon: SAKURA Koi Coloring Brush Pens, Assorted Gray, 6 Pack (XBR-6SA; about 1,300 ratings, 4.7 stars, 100+ bought in past month, read October 22, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074HJKQ2)