{"product_id":"oita-urushi-kuroha-fountain-pen-wancher","title":"Oita Urushi - Kuroha Fountain Pen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotice:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach Urushi fountain pen is handcrafted with no two pieces exactly alike, which is a valuable characteristic of hand-crafted art. Therefore, the pen that you received might be slightly different from the prototype pictures, yet, at the same time, it will be a unique artwork of your own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Origins of Oita Urushi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor almost fifteen years, we have devoted our time and our passion for fountain pens to raising awareness of Urushi arts from all over Japan. This has led to our collaborations with decorated artisans in Kyoto, Wajima, Aomori, and more. Despite our headquarters being based in Oita Prefecture since the beginning, there was no heritage or tradition of Urushi. That is why, throughout the creation of these Urushi fountain pens, we have aspired to create a new style of Urushi entirely - Oita Urushi. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was only a matter of patiently waiting for the right artisan, and the right vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust as the tradition of Urushi have thrived for centuries in other regions of Japan, we wanted Oita Urushi to be the start of a new legacy  that contributes to both Oita's beauty, as well as the appreciation of the art form itself. After years of research, we can proudly share: the Tradition of Oita Urushi begins today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Dragonfly of Oita Urushi - Kuroha (Black Wings)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Oita Urushi - Kuroha Fountain Pen is a new addition to the Oita Urushi collection, which begins with the same quiet charcoal base crafted by Master Onimaru Mayumi. However, in the midst of the dark, grey expanse of the pen is a a dragonfly, its slender wings and body formed from fine strips of Raden (mother-of-pearl) set into the lacquer. The effect is deliberately subtle. In low light the dragonfly all but disappears into the charcoal field, surfacing only as the pen turns and catches the light, when the Raden flickers with the faint iridescence of a wing in motion. It is a small, private detail, exemplifying the Dragonfly which in Japan has long been read as a symbol of strength, focus, and moving only forward. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artisan: Onimaru Mayumi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaster Onimaru Mayumi has been trained as an Urushi artisan since she was a young adult in Aomori. For almost two decades, she became a master of the Tsugaru Urushi technique, which you may recognize for its vibrant colors, unique patterns, and impossible-to-replicate designs. After moving to Oita Prefecture for private reasons, however, she was faced with an impossible decision: Does she continue to create lacquerware with the Tsugaru style, or does she develop her own style? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince we wanted to create a new style of Urushi, we encouraged her to develop a new technique - one that would be uniquely hers, but one that aspiring artisans in Oita may wish to emulate in the future. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"float: none;\" alt=\"oita urushi fountain pen artisan wancher original\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/8371\/3324\/files\/wancher-Oita-urushi-fountain-pen.jpg?v=1776127595\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Composition Centered on Charcoal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first layer of Urushi is applied as the base before adding vermillion Urushi as an accent, and charcoal powder to the whole body of the pen. For Master Onimaru, charcoal is the main point when it comes to her composition, mainly due to her origin from the Tsugaru region where the usage of charcoal in Urushi artwork is profound. Many artisans use charcoal powder and mix it with different pigments of Urushi, but Master Onimaru intentionally let the original dark tone of the charcoal set as the base to highlight the swirl pattern she added after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/8371\/3324\/files\/Wancher-Oita-Urushi-Fountain-Pen-Kurozan-Wancher_480x480.jpg?v=1776407662\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intricate pattern she skillfully applied was made using a traditional spatula called Shikake-bera, dipped in black Urushi to create an alluring motif. Finally, all parts of the surface are polished to reveal the pattern and even out the charcoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about the Creation of Oita Urushi story on the page \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.wancherpen.com\/blogs\/news\/bringing-urushi-culture-to-oita-prefecture\" title=\"Oita Urushi fountain pen Bringing the Urushi culture to Onsen Prefecture\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase material: Ebonite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt: Oita Urushi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFilling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNib: Jowo #6, Keiryu, Keiryu Kodachi, and Wancher 18K\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed: Plastic (for 18K Shogun, Keiryu, and Keiryu Kodachi), Ebonite (compatible only with Jowo #6)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompact air-tight cap: Prevents ink from drying prematurely\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/8371\/3324\/files\/pen-measurement-Oita-Urushi.jpg?v=1776406320\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Converter + Cartridge (3 pcs)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wancherpen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67829995045079,"sku":"WF-DR-OIUR-KUHA","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/8371\/3324\/files\/Wancher_Oita_Urushi_Kuroha_Fountain_Pen_Kuroha_Raden_Mother_of_Pearl.jpg?v=1792740195","url":"https:\/\/www.wancherpen.com\/products\/oita-urushi-kuroha-fountain-pen-wancher","provider":"Wancherpen International","version":"1.0","type":"link"}