Murasaki Barens

The word murasaki means 'purple', and these barens are so named because that is the color of the inner cord. This cord is braided not from slivers of bamboo as in a hon (real) baren, but from a tough treated cord, and that is one reason why the price is so much less.

These are beautifully made and finished, and are not a 'delicate' tool at all - the cord is quite hard and these barens will put out a lot of pressure. They are thus not so suitable for fine-line work (but see new models below!), but excellent for general use, and for areas of solid colour.

They are available in two 'weights' (general and strong) and in sizes from 13.5 cm down to 11.0 cm

Murasaki Barens

Inner Coils

Note: These barens are not factory produced, but made one-by-one to order. The maker (Mr. Kikuhide) asks us to tell you that it can sometimes take up to 40 days to catch up to his orders.

In reponse to requests from printers for more types of Murasaki baren, the Kikuhide workshop has made two additions to the line. The first is the 'Murasaki Soft', with a more delicately braided coil. This is most suited to key block work. The second is at the other end of the scale - the requests were for a more powerful tool. This is the 'Murasaki Super', and this is probably the most powerful baren on the market (not counting steel models that is!) This baren is designed for those tough jobs with thick paper, or where very heavy smooth colour applications are necessary.

The Murasaki 'Soft' Baren

The Murasaki 'Super' Baren

Order form for these barens

Select the items you wish to purchase from the forms above, then click on the 'Add to Cart' button.

Comments from other printmakers who have used these products is available on a feedback page, and if you have such experience, we invite your input too. Please use the Customer Feedback Form.