October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
ThatPainter
Akeru Barros Pereira

A Manga Artist from Kyoto Draws Goa’s Indo-Portuguese Houses

After a manga career as Toto Akeru, Japanese artist Akeru Barros Pereira turned to drawing Goan houses, depicting their architectural detail and the lives they hold.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

Japanese artist Akeru Barros Pereira began drawing Goan houses after photographing her husband’s ancestral village of Cansaulim in 1990. Her delicate pictures bring out the architecture’s ornament and surrounding greenery; a 2025 Scroll.in profile reports that she has drawn more than 200 houses and that 50 works appeared in a book published in 2013.

Who is Akeru Barros Pereira?

Pereira is a Japanese artist who lives in Kyoto. Before turning to Goan architecture, she had a career as a manga artist. As an undergraduate at Nara University in the 1970s and 1980s, she made 13 manga books under the pen name Toto Akeru, according to Pamela D’Mello’s 2025 profile for Scroll.in.

In 1990, she visited Cansaulim, the ancestral village of her husband, Joao Barros Pereira, and photographed its houses. After her children finished high school, she returned to drawing. The profile says she began making pictures of Goan houses around 2005, using those early photographs as well as images from later visits. She generally drew the houses in Kyoto, rather than trying to complete work during short trips to Goa.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Pro Grade Paint Brushes, Paint Brush Set for Walls, Trim & Stain, 5-Piece
  • COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
  • ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
  • INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
  • FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
  • TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.

What do her drawings show?

Pereira focuses on the details that give many Goan houses their distinctive character: cornices, pilasters, plinths, pediments, stucco ornament, arched doorways, sloping red-tiled roofs, finials, balcaos, decorative gate posts, oyster-shell windows, eaves boards, corbels and wrought-iron railings. Coconut trees and dense foliage often crowd the scene around the buildings. D’Mello describes this combination of architectural detail and greenery as giving the drawings an atmospheric quality.

The profile relates Pereira’s interest in the houses to their contrast with the buildings she knows in Japan: stone and lime-plaster houses in Goa, compared with rural Japanese homes of wood and paper screens and compact city apartments. This is the artist’s personal comparison as reported by D’Mello, not a technical account of either architectural tradition.

Rank #2
Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 20 Pcs Pointed Tip Artist Paintbrushes
  • Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
  • Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
  • Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
  • Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
  • Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.

How does Pereira make the drawings?

She works with colour pencils, watercolours and pens on Japanese paper. The profile notes that some of the very thin paper she uses can crumble when wet, so sheets are often mounted on board or cloth; she also uses pre-mounted shikishi boards. Pereira says different kinds of Japanese calligraphy paper create different effects and work well with colour pencils.

Her pen choice has changed over time: she formerly used a fountain pen and more recently switched to a calligraphy pen that does not fade as easily. The account does not name particular brands or specify a complete archival process, so it supports a description of her materials rather than a claim about the long-term permanence of every drawing.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
AROIC 10 Pcs Paint Brushes, Acrylic Oil Watercolor Painting Brush Set
  • 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
  • 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
  • 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
  • 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
  • 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.

Why does she draw houses as inhabited places?

The 2025 profile reports that Pereira has drawn more than 200 Goan houses. She avoids derelict buildings and ruins, preferring to show houses as they are meant to be seen, even when a photographed structure needs maintenance. That choice fits her stated interest in the house as more than a facade: “These houses are living entities, heaving with the family histories and dramas of generations past,” she said. “I like to capture the hope and promise that they will live on, with new generations.”

What is The Indo-Portuguese House?

Architect Gerard da Cunha decided to publish a book of Pereira’s drawings in 2013. The Indo-Portuguese House, with text by da Cunha, features 50 of her works. The profile says da Cunha had bought some drawings at a 2008 exhibition at Kala Academy in Panjim, for display at his Houses of Goa Museum in Torda.

Rank #4
Bates- Paint Brushes, 6 Pack, Treated Wood Handle Brushes for Walls
  • Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
  • The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
  • The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
  • These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
  • Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.

In a preface reproduced in D’Mello’s article, da Cunha writes: “Here was somebody who really understood the nuances of the Indo-Portuguese house and could capture its many forms.” The book describes the Indo-Portuguese house as “the richest legacy of Goan society,” framing the style as shaped by European rule and Indian sensibilities. Those are the book’s and its author’s assessments, not an independently established ranking of Goan architectural traditions.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What does “winning praise” mean in this case?

The reported evidence is specific: da Cunha praised Pereira’s understanding of the houses, bought drawings for museum display, and helped bring 50 works together in a published book. These examples document recognition from an architect and a platform for her work. D’Mello’s profile does not quantify broader public acclaim or provide an award, sales figure or audience survey, so “winning praise” should not be read as a measured consensus.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Pro Grade Paint Brushes, 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush, Trim & Walls, 3 Pack
  • 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
  • Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
  • Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
  • Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
  • Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Paint Desk

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.