Hirota Urushi - Kushime Tsuishitsu Nuri - Mouko with Clip

Important Notice: The hand-making process makes every single pen a unique one, there is no pen exactly resembling one another. The one you will receive might be slightly different from the one here in the pictures but if you appreciate that beauty of hand-craftsmanship, you will be happy with the pen we've made for you.

Hirota Urushi

Hirota Urushi is the Japanese traditional Urushi arts hand-crafted by master Hirota Yoko (廣田洋子). Master Hirota's artworks are unique in designs and techniques which are hard to find among common Urushi lacquerware.

There are 4 main techniques normally used in Master Hirota's art:

- 櫛目堆漆塗 (Kushime Tsuishitsu Nuri)

- 金箔 (Kinpaku)

- 石目堆漆塗蒟醤 (Ishime Tsuishitsu Nuri)

- 金彩ひび塗 (Kinsai Hibi Nuri)

Fountain pens from Hirota collection are handmade one by one and require years to create. Therefore, each design is limited to only 1-3 pieces.

Kushime Tsuishitsu Nuri

Kushime (櫛目) is the act of combing to create a pattern for artistic purposes such as pottery. Tsuishitsu Nuri (堆漆塗) is Master Hirota's original Urushi technique where multiple layers of Urushi that is combined with egg white or Ranpaku (卵白) and applied thickly using a special flat tool.

Fountain pens from Hirota collection are handmade one by one and require years to create. Therefore, each design is limited to only 1-3 pieces.

About Master Hirota Yoko

With a great interest in traditional handmade crafts since elementary school, master Hirota decided to choose this path and developed a strong passion for Japanese Urushi-making traditions. Master Hirota now has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in making Urushi and Maki-e.

Hirota's artwork focus on the stylish minimalism and durability of the objects. Either it's a pair of chopsticks that serve everyday meals or it's an ornament used in the palace, it must last long and express aesthetics of Japan's art.

Background of Master Yoko Hirota:

1988: Graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design

1991: Completed research course at Kagawa Prefecture Urushi Art Institute; Selected for Japan Traditional Lacquer Art Exhibition

1993: Graduated from Kagawa Prefecture Urushi Art Institute; Fukuoka Art Exhibition First Prize

1994: Fukuoka Art Exhibition Board of Education Award; Selected for Japan Industrial Arts Association Western Art Exhibition

1995: Selected for Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition; Western Crafts Exhibition Urasoe Mayor's Award

1996: Buzen City Cultural Merit Award

1997: Seibu Crafts Exhibition Award of Mayor of Urasoe

1998: Fukuoka Art Exhibition West Japan Newspaper Award

1999: Became a member of Fukuoka Art Association; Certificated as a regular member of Japan Crafts Association

2004: OAB Oita Asahi Broadcasting Award at Western Crafts Exhibition

2005: Oita Mayor's Award at Western Crafts Exhibition

2006: Solo Exhibition at Buddha Museum

2008: Western Traditional Craft Exhibition Asahi Welfare Culture Corporation Award

Specifications

Material & art: Ebonite, Urushi

Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)

Nib: #6 Jowo stainless steel, Wancher 18K gold

Feed: Plastic, ebonite black, ebonite red

Size & Shape

Packaging

Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Cartridge & Converter + Instructional Materials