baren; rubbing pad for woodblock printing
A traditional disk-shaped tool used to press paper against an inked woodblock, especially in ukiyo-e printmaking.
We use a baren when printing ukiyo-e.
馬連で紙をこすると、色がきれいに移る。
When you rub the paper with a baren, the color transfers beautifully.
Standard kanji spelling for the woodblock printing tool.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 馬連.
The origin of the word ばれん is uncertain. The kanji 馬連 (and the variant 馬楝) are likely ateji, chosen for their sounds rather than their meanings.