Collection: Yakumo-nuri

Yakumo-nuri

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

Discover

Origin

The Design

Chijimi-nuri

Chijimi-nuri, which loosely translates to Shrinkage Lacquer, involves a specific type of Urushi which will literally shrink as it dries and matures, resulting in a unique texture that cannot be replicated by any other means.

Master Artisan Nagaya Momoko coats the ebonite base with two coatings of Urushi before adding a layer of the special Chijimi (shrinking) Urushi. As the Urushi is left to dry in a controlled environment, deep lines and whorls across the surface of the fountain pen will be formed.

The pen is finished in Chijimi-nuri, a technique in which the urushi gently contracts as it cures, forming an organic texture across the ebonite body. Accented with fine metallic powder, the surface carries a soft sheen that recalls the subtle glimmer of scales under light.Over time, the material continues to mature, developing a character unique to each piece.

Aidashō (青大将)

Represents a gentle guardian spirit, known for protecting homes and fields, with a color that evolves over time.

Shirohebi (白蛇)

Reflects good fortune and guardianship, drawing from the sacred White Snake enshrined at Izumo Taisha.

Nishikihebi (錦蛇)

Embodies power and divinity, expressed through a richly textured surface.

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.

Yakumo-nuri Byakudan Fountain Pens shapes and patterns change as we look at them which creates an optical illusion, and its effect will continue to enhance with time as the pen's Urushi ages. Just like great Japanese whisky, they just get better with age.

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.

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 futuristic impression.

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 which with time and usage, this final layer will transform, allowing the unique patterns underneath the layers of Urushi to become more prominent with continued usage, almost as if the pen is evolving right alongside you. 

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. 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.

Also featured in "Our Craftsmanship" page here