Collection: Yakumo-nuri

Yakumo-nuri

An Urushi art that exudes a mystical beauty steeped in Japanese history.

Origin

His volatility is on full display in the story of how, during one of Susanō’s fits of rage, Amaterasu took shelter in a cave, which doomed the entire world to darkness. However, Susanō is also portrayed for his heroic tendencies, such as when he happened upon a tearful goodbye between Kushinada-hime and her parents. Flummoxed by their sorrow, Susanō asked them the reason for their tears, they explained that the fearsome Yamata-no-Orochi had devoured their eight daughters, and their last daughter - Kushinada-hime - would be the next sacrifice.

Susanō felt moved by this display of emotion, and offered to vanquish Yamata-no-Orochi in exchange for Kushinada-hime’s hand in marriage. Susanō ingeniously tricked Yamata-no-Orochi into drinking vats of sake (Japanese rice wine) until it had fallen drunk. As it slumbered, Susanō cut the serpent into pieces and discovered the sword known as Kusanagi-no-Tsurugu, which would later become one of the three Imperial Treasures of Japan. Historians have long dissected this legend for metaphors, references to historically significant events, and cultural traditions, and while their theories will never be confirmed, many of the locations of this particular legend can still be seen and enjoyed today in Shimane Prefecture.

Yakumo-nuri Byakudan

In many mythologies, gods of war, love, life, and even death take center stage in these fantastical stories that had come into existence since before the written word. In what is surely representative of Japanese culture's characteristics, the gods are often depicted as guides for mortals, even as they play their games of mischief.

This is called the Dance of Illusion (幻想のダンス), which suggests that these gods use illusion to show hidden truths about the universe to the mortals. Okuninushi - the god of magic and medicine - uses Shimane Prefecture's Izumo Shrine as a sacred site to reveal the secrets of the universe to his followers.

The idea of uncovering layers of beauty and wonder like layers of a magical illusion was the perfect allegory for the artistry of using layers upon layers of Urushi to craft a masterpiece. The fact that the source of the inspiration can be found in Shimane - the birthplace of Yakumo Urushi - further enhances the vision of the Yakumo-nuri Byakudan Fountain Pens.

What is Byakudan?

Byakudan is a technique to apply extremely fine gold leaf or gold foil to an object coated with Suki Urushi (transparent lacquer); it is applied on top of the gold leaf until it becomes totally inseparable from the pen after it has been flattened onto the surface area. Gold leaf covers the entire object in most examples of the Byakudan technique, but Nagaya Momoko's gold leaf is separated and applied to the pens on entirely different layers to achieve an ethereal beauty, as well as to form asymmetrical patterns.

Our eyes are drawn to the Yakumo-nuri Byakudan Fountain Pens because their shapes and patterns change as we look at them. This creates an optical illusion, and its effect will continue to enhance with time as the pen's Urushi ages and matures thanks to the patented Yakumo technique. This means that one can never tire of just looking at Yakumo-nuri Byakudan pens, and just like great Japanese whisky, they just get better with age.

The Design

Ryumon-nuri (Flowing Pattern Urushi) 流紋塗

Through a process known as ‘marbling’, the artisan pours Urushi into a container with water before transferring this mixture directly onto the surface area of an item, such as a fountain pen. The pattern varies depending on the amount of Urushi used and the area upon which it is added, which is why each design that utilizes Ryumon-nuri will result in a completely unique pen.

Susano

Orochi

Amaterasu

Shibo Urushi (Patterned Urushi) 紋漆

The pattern is drawn onto the pen with metal powder, then Urushi is applied on the surface before the artisan polishes it, allowing the metal to shine through. The metallic shine unique to metal powder gives a somewhat futuristic impression. Shibo-urushi is laudable for its masterful combination of different features to create one, fully realized work of art.

The artisan begins by drawing patterns upon a base layer of Urushi and refined gold powder before coating it with a lustrous layer of transparent Urushi. The most unique aspect of this technique is actually in its use of transparent Urushi. This means that with time and usage, this final layer will change and transform, allowing you to enjoy the changes. This aspect allows the unique patterns underneath all of the layers of Urushi to become more prominent with continued usage, almost as if the pen is evolving right alongside you. 

Homura

Since the dawn of civilization, man has relied on the power of fire. The flame, which is simultaneously a pitiless destructive force and a tool through which we can create, is constantly changing. This is symbolic of how the Yakumo-nuri Fountain Pen will change like a flame as you continue to use it for decades.

Shinra

The color of this pen is represented by the luscious green of nature. Over the course of millions of years, green has been the symbol of life, and it was our intention to convey that same feeling through this pen.

Sazanami

The color of this pen is inspired by the gentle, yet powerful ripples that can be found when droplets of rain make contact with the deep blue waves of the sea. 

The Artisan: Nagaya Momoko

Born in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Nagaya Momoko graduated from the illustrious Kanazawa College of Art before opening her own studio in the city of Izumo. With the aim of preserving and developing the local traditional craft of Yakumo-nuri, she works on creating artworks that masterfully meld modern innovations with traditional Yakumo-nuri. When we learned of Nagaya Momoko’s personal philosophy, it was clear that it aligned with our own commitment to preserving traditional arts, which is why we hope our collaboration will be the beginning of more artworks that can raise awareness of these underrated techniques.