Dream Pen Echizen Urushi
Echizen Urushi blends durability, everyday practicality, and refined beauty into a single craft, with each design revealing the elegance that only true Japanese artistry can achieve.
The First Design - Omoide Sakura
Omoide" means memory or recollection in Japanese. Even after cherry blossoms have finished blooming, certain memories remain. In spite of cherry blossoms' impermanence, we want a physical reminder of their existence to complement their beauty. Omoide Sakura was inspired by our desire to preserve cherry blossoms in their physical form, which we hoped to represent in its subtle design.
The Second Design - Sakura Zukiyo
Witnessing cherry blossom petals drifting in the moonlit spring night along a pathway carries a beauty reminiscent of Japan's essence and the concept of "Wabi-sabi" (appreciating beauty in imperfection).
In an effort to capture the spirit of Japan, we chose to depict this imagery and design through the world renowned art of Echizen Urushi. While it is impossible to truly represent the essence of Japan in a single object, the beauty can be found in our best efforts to achieve the impossible.
Using Echizen Urushi's fountain pen design, we want to capture the essence of Sakura at its peak of blooming.
The Third Design - Temari
Temari (which translates literally to Hand Ball in Japanese) was introduced to Japan over a thousand years ago as a way of minimizing any loose thread or fabric from kimono crafting.
Mothers would craft small balls using this fabric for their children, which can then be used in various games. However, this soon entered high society, and the crafting of the Temari became an art form in and of itself. It became a way of differentiating one's upbringing from the rest.
When you are given a Temari, it symbolizes true friendship and an undying loyalty. That is why the Temari was often given to children by their parents on New Year's Day. As we embark upon a new year, the Temari shows us that our bond will continue forever.
Echizen Urushi
The Technique - Kindai Maki-e
The Echizen Urushi artisans apply lacquer onto the body of the fountain pen and decorate it using the Modern Maki-e Technique - derived from the historic Maki-e technique. While the secrets of the Modern Maki-e technique cannot be revealed as each one is modified by the specific artisan, it is clear that the basic technique by itself results in beautifully designed fountain pens.
Drawing inspiration from the long-cherished Urushi traditions of Echizen and the serene beauty of spring, we brought these sentiments to life through the Echizen series.
What began with the Sakura motif has now expanded to include the Temari design, expressing a broader vision of Echizen artistry. Beyond presenting these fountain pens, our aim is to let people experience the spirit and craftsmanship of the artisans who create them.