Handcrafted in Echizen, Japan.
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Introducing a traditional Urushi technique of Echizen lacquer - the Byakudan-nuri (白檀塗り).
Byakudan-nuri art has a unique and beautiful finish resulting from an advanced combination of Suki Urushi (transparent Urushi), gold/silver foil, and candy-colored Urushi.
This technique embodies an interesting aesthetic aspect of Japanese traditional arts. It's said: "経年変化がより深い味わいを醸し出す", which means "Aging brings out a deeper taste." Just like fine wine, the longer it ages, the more exquisite it becomes.
Introducing a traditional Urushi technique of Echizen lacquer - the Byakudan-nuri (白檀塗り).
Byakudan-nuri art has a unique and beautiful finish resulting from an advanced combination of Suki Urushi (transparent Urushi), gold/silver foil, and candy-colored Urushi.
This technique embodies an interesting aesthetic aspect of Japanese traditional arts. It's said: "経年変化がより深い味わいを醸し出す", which means "Aging brings out a deeper taste." Just like fine wine, the longer it ages, the more exquisite it becomes.
byakudan-nuri 白檀塗
The making process
白檀 (Byakudan) translates as Sandalwood. It is said that this technique is named Byakudan-nuri because it resembled the amber color of Sandalwood.
A complicated process along with a meticulous handcraft is required to create a Byakudan-nuri artwork.
The first step is to apply a coating layer as a base, then an intermediate Urushi layer is painted on top and swiftly, but surely sharpened smooth.
Afterward, paper-thin gold or silver foil is pressed onto the surface of the object and then coated with a layer of Suki Urushi (transparent Urushi lacquer).
After it dries, other transparent candy-colored Urushi layers will be applied.
The last, but also crucial step, is to polish the object until it's glossy.
To make the Urushi stand out on a pen body, each Urushi layer is coated in a spiral pattern. Therefore, the Byakudan-nuri looks like it is floating on the surface of the pen with a smooth transition of the brush lines throughout the pen.
This technique has not been seen on many writing instruments, which our fountain pen is proud to present.
The making process
intermediate
To make the Urushi stand out on a pen body, each Urushi layer is coated in a spiral pattern. Therefore, the Byakudan-nuri looks like it is floating on the surface of the pen with a smooth transition of the brush lines throughout the pen.
This technique has not been seen on many writing instruments, which our fountain pen is proud to present.
To make the Urushi stand out on a pen body, each Urushi layer is coated in a spiral pattern. Therefore, the Byakudan-nuri looks like it is floating on the surface of the pen with a smooth transition of the brush lines throughout the pen.
This technique has not been seen on many writing instruments, which our fountain pen is proud to present.
Kintsugi art 金継ぎ
In addition to the fastidious craftsman's work of Byakudan-nuri, the Kintsugi art was simultaneously applied to the edge of the pen. This is another aspect of the Japanese aesthetic sense where unnoticeable subtle elements are also the vital ones that aids to the total extraordinary craftsmanship. Kintsugi 金継ぎ (or golden joinery) refers to the Japanese art of using Urushi with a metal powder such as gold and silver to mend broken pottery. An art that emphasizes the beauty of scars, or the perfect imperfections. On the edge of our fountain pen where the Byakudan coating ends, the Kintsugi is applied. It works as a connector of the whole pen body surface even though the cap, the grip, and the barrel are completely separate parts.
Time reveals beauty
The subtle contrast of gold, black, and amber on the final artwork looks stunning but its true potential is yet to be revealed - the beauty of Byakudan-nuri expresses over time.
The more it ages, the more alluring it will become. When time passes by, the finish will become brighter and glossier. Therefore, the pen is not made just for short term use but a lifetime. You will be enjoying the beautiful aging process of this artwork for many more years to come.
Time reveals beauty
The subtle contrast of gold, black, and amber on the final artwork looks stunning but its true potential is yet to be revealed - the beauty of Byakudan-nuri expresses over time.
The more it ages, the more alluring it will become. When time passes by, the finish will become brighter and glossier. Therefore, the pen is not made just for short term use but a lifetime. You will be enjoying the beautiful aging process of this artwork for many more years to come.
Byakudan-nuri
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