Collection: Dream Pen Raden

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Raden - 螺鈿 

Handcrafted in Wajima
by Master Yamanoshita





Raden (螺鈿 in Japanese), which is also called mother-of-pearl inlay, is one of the techniques in Japanese lacquerware that apply inlays of natural pearl shells to decorate a wooden or ebonite surface.


While there are a variety of shells that can be used to make Raden, Raden on Dream Pen is made from abalone shells collected from the Japanese Sea.

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Once abalone shells are carefully selected, the qualified ones are flattened into a very thin raden sheet. The pearl sheet is then cut to an exact size to prepare for the applying process. To inlay raden to the surface, it involves underlay, overlay, and polishing steps.

However, to finish a Raden Dream Pen, it is not only that. The pre-urushi-lacquer and post-urushi-lacquer are mandatory to achieve a smooth and glossy finish.








Nashiji - 梨子地

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 using Nashiji-ko 梨地子 or Nashiji-fun 梨子地粉 - special gold/silver flakes and powder used for Nashiji lacquer.

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 using Nashiji-ko 梨地子 or Nashiji-fun 梨子地粉 - special gold/silver flakes and powder used for Nashiji lacquer.






In this technique, first, a surface of Hirame 平目地 is created using Nashiji-ko 梨地子. Then, Nashiji-fun 梨子地粉 is sprinkled on the surface and allowed to dry. A layer of transparent Urushi is applied and the surface is lightly polished. The final artwork is a combination of matt finish and translucent effect.

Every single step of this whole process is crafted with great care and attention to detail over a long course of time and by highly skilled artisans. Many designs have taken us 1-2 years to finish.






 Therefore, it is not just a fountain pen
but also a piece of art that carries history,
traditional values, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Dream Pen Raden are available in 3 editions
   

The Dream Pen Raden Diamond Dust design was inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Diamond Dust phenomenon in Hokkaido, Japan during winter when tiny ice crystals in the air are formed and sparkle under the sunlight.

The pen will be available with the following nibs:
- Stainless steel EF, F, M, B
- Wancher 18K gold  M, B

*The pen will be signed on the bottom
by the artisan with Maki-e technique.

The Dream Pen Raden Maki-e Sun Pillar reflects the breathtaking scene of a light pillar phenomenon when a vertical shaft of light extending from the sun.
Raden and Maki-e are applied parallel in a vertical direction which illustrates the sun's rays and the falling ice crystals that form the Sun Pillars. 

*The pen will be signed on the bottom
by the artisan with Maki-e technique.

The Dream Pen Raden Maki-e Sun Pillar reflects the breathtaking scene of a light pillar phenomenon when a vertical shaft of light extending from the sun.
Raden and Maki-e are applied parallel in a vertical direction which illustrates the sun's rays and the falling ice crystals that form the Sun Pillars. 

The pen will be available with the following nibs:
- Stainless steel EF, F, M, B
- Wancher 18K gold  M, B

*The pen will be signed on the bottom
by the artisan with Maki-e technique.

The Dream Pen Raden Nashiji Civil Twilight is crafted with both Raden and Nashiji techniques. The pen illustrates the marvelous twilight, when the sun is inches below the horizon, leaving the soft glowing light on the clouds.

This limited edition pen will be released with limited quantity of 50 pieces total worldwide. 

The pen will be available with Wancher 18K gold M, B nibs

*The pen will be signed on the bottom and numbered on the cap
by the artisan with Maki-e technique.