Supreme x Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (Pack of 10)
The original behind the Supreme x Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (Pack of 10) is the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27) — $30 retail vs Supreme's $38.
Supreme vs. Original
Supreme version
About the original
The Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (model KE-AC27) are a 10-color set of semi-transparent oil-gel crayons designed for layering and blending like watercolor. Kokuyo was founded in Osaka in 1905 and introduced the world's first spiral-bound notebook in 1919; the Transparent Crayon line is part of their art-supply range, made in Japan. Each crayon is 2.5 inches long and the set ships in a cardboard tray. The SS23 Supreme version uses the same crayons with a printed Supreme wrap on each stick and a box-logo outer box. Supreme marketed the set as "Translucent," but Kokuyo's product name is "Transparent."
About Kokuyo
Kokuyo is a Japanese stationery and office furniture manufacturer founded in 1905 by Zentaro Kuroda in Minami-Horie, Nishi-ku, Osaka, originally as Kuroda Hyoshi-ten, a shop producing covers for traditional wacho account ledgers. The company adopted the Kokuyo brand in 1917, introduced Western-style double-entry ledgers in 1913, and released what it documents as the world's first spiral-bound notebook in 1919. Kokuyo entered steel office furniture in 1960 and went public in 1972. The Campus notebook line, launched in 1975, is the bestselling notebook in Japan. Supreme collaborated with Kokuyo on the Campus Notebook set.
Price comparison
| Supreme retail | $38 |
|---|---|
| Kokuyo retail | $30 |
| Hype tax | +27% |
Questions
What is the original behind the Supreme x Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (Pack of 10)?
The Supreme x Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (Pack of 10), released in Spring/Summer 2023, is based on the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27). Supreme collabs sometimes change the colorway or materials; the description on this page covers the original's specs and any notable differences in the Supreme version. If you want the product without the box logo, the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27) is the one to buy.
How much cheaper is the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27) than the Supreme version?
Supreme charged $38 for the Supreme x Kokuyo Transparent Crayons (Pack of 10); the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27) retails for $30. That's a 27% markup — buying the original saves you $8, or 21% off the Supreme price. Buy the original at retail and you skip the hype tax entirely.
Where can I buy the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27)?
You can buy the Kokuyo Transparent Crayons 10 Color Set (KE-AC27) from Amazon or from JetPens. Retail price is $30. The buy links on this page go straight to the product listing at each retailer.
