Dream Pen - Aizu Urushi

Hand-crafted in Aizu, Japan

As you might have known from our Sekai collection, Aizu Urushi is one of the oldest and most famous lacquerware in Japan. Originated from Aizu - a region of heavy snowfalls, Aizu Urushi has a history of over 9000 years.
We would like to introduce to you the four distinctive techniques of Aizu Urushi: 

Tamamushi-nuri, Kikkou-nuri, Akebono-nuri, Koma-nuri and Metalic Nashiji.

Bokashi-nuri

For painters, creating a gradient, or a gradation, is difficult, because a smooth transition from one shade to another (i.e. light blue to dark blue) can be easily disturbed by an incorrect mixture of paint, or an accidental twitch of a finger. This is even more difficult when it comes to using Urushi (raw lacquer), because the texture and coloration of lacquer is far less predictable than modern paint.

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A Tsubomi is a flower on the cusp of blooming, representing all the hope and untold potential that it can hold before it reveals everything to the rest of the world. The soft pink gradient color across this pen evokes this feeling, and extends it, making something that should last only a moment, last an entire lifetime.

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The Oboro Fountain Pen has a deep matte blue color until it inexplicably transforms into a light green color near the bottom of the pen. This represents the feeling of embracing the unknown, as if we are walking a forest with only an ocean of a night sky hanging above us, and the barest glimpses of green grass beneath our footsteps. In this suspended moment of ambiguity, we can enjoy the beauty of the Bokashi-nuri - Oboro Fountain Pen, and welcome the untold wonders we can achieve with it in our collection.

Ao & Aka Tamenuri

View Ao
View Aka Tamenuri
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Tamamushi-nuri

Tamamushi-Nuri is a special technique to achieve a lustrous shine surface while exhibiting the depth effect of the Urushi layers. This can be achieved by adding silver powder onto the middle layer, between the base and final coat of Urushi. After several layers of Urushi are coated, silver powder will be applied accordingly.

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For the application, craftsmen must consider the day's temperature and humidity to adjust the glaze for an even color. Again, the mastery of the craftsmen's artistic skill in polishing the Urushi and applying silver powder are the crucial factors that determine the final result.

The most challenging part is when silver powder is applied, it creates a grainy texture. Therefore, they have to polish the surface until the glaze adheres flat. The silver powder is continuously topped with Urushi in such a way as to prevent dust from mixing with it. Ultimately, Tamamushi-Nuri is a brilliant artwork from Aizu that involves traditional crafts.

Kikkou-nuri

The Kikkou-nuri technique has its name originated from the word 亀甲 (Kikkou) which means "turtle shell". In this technique, the surface of the object is carved and then coated with multiple Urushi layers in a way that the final artwork will resemble a turtle shell.

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 Combining with Akatame-nuri and Midoritame-nuri, the work results in a surprisingly unique pattern. We didn't expect that these two techniques will complement each other so well and create such an uncommon yet appealing finish.

Akebono-nuri

Akebono-nuri (曙塗り) is an Urushi technique that creates a duo-toned finish with a combination of Red and Black Urushi. Being considered as one of the most difficult techniques, Akebono-nuri involves a complicated process of Urushi coating.

On top of Red Urushi undercoat, Black Urushi is applied and polished until the Red Urushi is revealed. As this process is repeated, the underlying Red Urushi will become glossier and a beautifully gradient design will be achieved.

KIKKOU-nuri

The Kikkou-nuri technique has its name originated from the word 亀甲 (Kikkou) which means "turtle shell". In this technique, the surface of the object is carved and then coated with multiple Urushi layers in a way that the final artwork will resemble a turtle shell.

Combining with Akatame-nuri, the work results in a surprisingly subtle transition. We didn't expect that these two techniques will complement each other so well and create such an uncommon yet appealing finish.

Akebono-nuri

Akebono-nuri (曙塗り) is an Urushi technique that creates a duo-toned finish with a combination of Red and Black Urushi. Being considered as one of the most difficult techniques, Akebono-nuri involves a complicated process of Urushi coating.

On top of Red Urushi undercoat, Black Urushi is applied and polished until the Red Urushi is revealed. As this process is repeated, the underlying Red Urushi will become glossier and a beautifully gradient design will be achieved.

koma-nuri

Koma-nuri (独楽塗り) is an Urushi technique where a pattern is created by painting concentrically with multiple color Urushi such as Black, Red, and Yellow. In Japanese, the word 独楽 (Koma) refers to a spinning top toy, and the name 独楽塗り (Koma-nuri) originates from that.

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Creating such smoothly rounding patterns with Urushi requires a lot of skills as well as attention. Sometimes, if the painting doesn't turn smoothly, there is no choice but the work has to be done over again. Artwork that is made with this technique is said to be lucky charms for a prosperous business and an abundant life.

koma-nuri

Koma-nuri (独楽塗り) is an Urushi technique where a pattern is created by painting concentrically with multiple color Urushi such as Black, Red, and Yellow. In Japanese, the word 独楽 (Koma) refers to a spinning top toy, and the name 独楽塗り (Koma-nuri) originates from that.

Creating such smoothly rounding patterns with Urushi requires a lot of skills as well as attention. Sometimes, if the painting doesn't turn smoothly, there is no choice but the work has to be done over again. Artwork that is made with this technique is said to be lucky charms for a prosperous business and an abundant life.

METALLIC NASHIJI

Nashiji 梨子地 or pear-skin ground refers to a Japanese maki-e technique that creates artworks with a texture resembling pear fruit skin.

Aizu Metalic Nashiji is a Nashiji technique that works with metallic gold powder to create a rich grained surface. With a top transparent coat, the Metallic Nashiji finish is a magnificent translucent golden decoration that can catch lots of attention.

METALLIC NASHIJI

Nashiji 梨子地 or pear-skin ground refers to a Japanese maki-e technique that creates artworks with a texture resembling pear fruit skin.

Aizu Metalic Nashiji is a Nashiji technique that works with metallic gold powder to create a rich grained surface. With a top transparent coat, the Metallic Nashiji finish is a magnificent translucent golden decoration that can catch lots of attention.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Base material: ABS
Art: Aizu Urushi
Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)
Nib: #6 Jowo stainless steel, Wancher 18K gold, Keiryu, Keiryu Kodachi
Feed: Plastic, ebonite black, ebonite red
Compact air-tight cap: Prevent dried-out ink problem