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Dream Pen Urushi-e: Tiger
Regular price $1,400.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Dream Pen Urushi-e: Persimmon Tree
Regular price $1,400.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Sekai Urushi-e: Scrolls of Frolicking Animals
Regular price $1,400.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Taka Maki-e - Mejiro Birds and Vine
Regular price From $1,300.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Sold outDream Pen Urushi-e: Dragon
Regular price $1,400.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Taka Maki-e - Flowers and Praying Mantis
Regular price $1,600.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Sold outTaka Maki-e - Senmen Narihira
Regular price $1,500.00 USDRegular priceUnit price per
Urushi-e
A Hybrid Worldview
There are many masterpieces in the history of Japanese art, and learning about the stories behind each work will deepen your interest. In an effort to share these layered stories with the rest of the world, Wancher is unveiling the Urushi-e collection, which is a highly specialized technique that combines traditional ink painting and detailed Urushi craftwork.
History of Japanese Painting
The specific ink painting style that inspired this collection originated in China before being introduced to Japan in the late 12th Century by traveling zen monks. While Japan had their own ink-based art prior to this, it was considered juvenile in comparison to the much more detailed and complex artwork hailing from China. This sparked an evolution in Japanese art, forming the foundation of what would be a golden period in Japan's art history.
Heaven and earth
For thousands of years, dragons and tigers have been symbols of power, wisdom, strength, and in the case of the former, myth. The Dragon and the Tiger belong to the twelve Zodiac Signs of East Asian cultures, which indicates their significance as symbols within the Asian cultures that comprise this region.
It is unsurprising then that even as recent as the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Japanese artists still used these iconic creatures in their artwork. The new Urushi-e - Dragon and Tiger is inspired by the Rokkyoku Issou Ryu-Tora-zu Folding Screen. While the original artwork took advantage of its foldable nature by imbuing each panel with a complex and beautiful design, the Urushi-e: Dragon and Urushi-e: Tiger adapts this concept and molds it to the cylindrical shape of our iconic Dream Pen.
As a way of portraying the difference in roles of the Dragon and the Tiger within the Zodiac, the Urushi-e: Dragon depicts the Dragon as a divine creature from the Heavens, while the Urushi-e: Tiger depicts this powerful creature among a bamboo forest on the ground.
Urushi-e: Dragon
The Western depiction of a dragon is
fearsome, vicious, and
monstrous.
In their fairy tales, the dragon must be slayed by the knight before he can rescue the Princess. In Eastern mythology, however, the Dragon is, above all else, a wise and benevolent divine creature. Instead of possessing animalistic traits, the Dragon is often wiser than mankind, and its symbol is not treated with fear; instead, it is seen as a sign of good luck and fortune.
The divinity of the Dragon is further emphasized in the Urushi-e: Dragon, as the Dragon is depicted to be afloat a cloud from the Heavens on the cap of the fountain pen, looking down on the earthbound creatures ambivalently. The rest of the pen is enveloped with deep, smoky colors of red, orange, gold, and shadow using the renowned Urushi-e technique.
Urushi-e: Tiger
Tiger, The King of All Beasts, is down-to-earth, a symbol of strength, the exorcism of evil, and braveness.
Unlike the Dragon, the Tiger is characteristically more down-to-earth, and it is considered The King of All Beasts, as well as a symbol for strength, the exorcism of evil, and braveness. The mere image of a tiger on one's clothing is meant to summon
confidence and strength for the wearer.
To accurately convey the Tiger's role within East Asian Mythology, the Tiger is depicted on the body of the pen on the ground amidst a bamboo forest. Around the Tiger is the color varnished red, alluding to the aura that this powerful creature must radiate for any onlookers.
Taka Maki-e
Origins of Treasured Technique of Taka maki-e
The birth of maki-e technology in Japan is traced back to the Shosoin treasure of the Nara period (A.C. 710-794). It stands as a hallmark technique of lacquer art that developed uniquely in Japan. Maki-e technique flourished during the Kamakura period and underwent refinement during the competitive atmosphere of the Muromachi period.
Among the various styles of maki-e, Takamaki-e demands the most intricate skills.
In this instance, Wancher has crafted a piece with profound affection, employing the "Takamaki-e" technique to present the epitome of beauty inherent in this rare Japanese craftsmanship.
Taka Maki-e Technique
True to the original words, "Taka" which means "Raised high". There are several other technique for making Taka Maki-e such as "Urushi-age", "Sumiko-age" by using charcoal, and "Sabi-age" which uses gold powder generously while also very laborous. As a result, these Taka Maki-e fountain pens are made to be with three-dimensional with many delicate details. Only when you touch it with hand, you can feel the true beauty, a wonderful masterpiece.
18K Nib
All pens come with an 18K gold nib to enhance your writing experience and the astonishing appearance of the traditional Maki-e art on this pen.
Natural Raw Urushi
Our fountain pens are applied using natural Urushi which by characteristic has slightly less shine. Every early summer, raw Urushi is gathered from the deciduous tree known as "Urushinoki". This valuable plant yields only about 100-300 grams of raw Urushi liquid per year from each tree.
Specifications
Base: Ebonite
Art: Urushi-e, Taka Maki-e
Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)
Nib: #6 Wancher 18K gold
Feed: Plastic only