Kyoto Urushi Kasane-iro - Asagao

The Asagao

For centuries, Asagao has been one of Japan's most elegant shades of indigo, reserved for Yukatas and Kimonos worn on formal occasions and was meant to symbolize peace and purity. The name "Asagao" refers to a light blue color that's inbetween a bright blue sky and the teal blue of the ocean during dusk, and it pairs perfectly as either the accent color or the main color of traditional kimonos. 

While modern pigments are now created through industrial processes, traditional Urushi artisans continue to work with natural materials to achieve colors of remarkable depth and character. More than a writing instrument, Kyoto Urushi Asagao preserves centuries of Japanese color tradition in a form that can be held, admired, and written with every day.

Kyoto Urushi - Kasane no Irome

During the peaceful Heian Period (794-1185 AD), Japanese culture and society flourished, allowing literature, cuisine, and even fashion to explore interesting new ideas. One of the most significant and enduring concepts from this time was the Kasane no Irome ( かさねの色目 ), which related to the layering of robes in a kimono to produce multi-colored patterns or unique gradients that cannot be achieved through the dyeing techniques of that time. 

A kimono following Kasane no Irome would typically have an Uwagi (the over or outer-robe), the Hitoe (the under-robe), typically followed by five layers of varying shades or colors, although some of the more complex designs utilize up to eight different robes. Each layer of color would have a specific meaning that would correspond to both the event (for example, the summer festival), or it would relate to the wearer's status and even mood of that day. Combining these colors would then create an even greater meaning, making the kimono multi-layered in both a literal and figurative sense. 

Today, the kimono is no longer commonplace, yet the meaning of these colors, and the colors themselves still retain their meaning and significance, even if we are not aware of it. 

Specifications

Material & art: Ebonite, Urushi, 

Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)

Nib: #6 Jowo stainless steel, Wancher 18K Gold, Keiryu, Keiryu Kodachi

Feed: Plastic, ebonite black, ebonite red (ebonite feeds are only compatible with Jowo nibs)

Compact air-tight cap: Prevents dried-out ink problem

Size & Shape

Packaging

Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Certificate + Converter + Cartridge