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Oita Urushi - Kurozan Fountain Pen
Oita Urushi - Kurozan Fountain Pen
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Description
Description
Notice: Each 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.
The Origins of Oita Urushi
For 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.
It was only a matter of patiently waiting for the right artisan, and the right vision.
Just 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.
First Oita Urushi Pen - Kurozan
Kurozan (黒燦) - which translates into Radiant Black - is the first fountain pen crafted in the new Oita Urushi style. With the quiet black tone and the red accents, these unique pieces are not crafted to be replicable. These limited edition models have slight differences such as the placement of the charcoal texture, and the swirl pattern.
Through your fingertips, both the matte texture of the charcoal and the gentle raised pattern can be traced, indulging your senses with a quiet, tactile richness. Each writing session is an immersive experience as the pen moves across the page. The delicate balance of weight and craftsmanship in your hand enhances the enjoyment of every stroke.
The Artisan: Onimaru Mayumi
Master 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?
Since 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.
A Composition Centered on Charcoal
The 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.
The 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.
Learn more about the Creation of Oita Urushi story on the page here.
Specifications
Base material: Ebonite, Titanium Trim
Art: Oita Urushi
Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)
Nib: Jowo #6, Keiryu, Keiryu Kodachi, and 18K Shogun Nib, Two-toned Nib
Feed: Plastic (for 18K Shogun, Keiryu, and Keiryu Kodachi), Ebonite (compatible with Jowo #6 and Two-toned nib)
Compact air-tight cap: Prevents ink from drying prematurely
Packaging
Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Converter + Cartridge (3 pcs)
Duties & Taxes
Duties & Taxes
For international orders, customers are responsible for any sales tax, duties, brokerage fees, and / or other taxes imposed by the government of the destination country, in addition to the quoted or invoiced price.
Learn about Wancher's terms of service for our premium fountain pens and writing instruments. Find important information on purchases, warranties, and customer rights. Essential reading for all Wancher pen enthusiasts and collectors.
Oita Urushi
Oita Urushi is the beginning of a new legacy, one that honors Oita’s natural beauty and deepens appreciation for the craft itself. After years of research, we as Wancher, are proud to share that the tradition of Oita Urushi that begins today
The Craft: A Composition Centered on Charcoal
Charcoal is the heart of Master Onimaru’s work, a nod to her roots in Tsugaru, where charcoal has long held a special place in Urushi art. The process begins with a foundation layer of Urushi, followed by an accent of vermilion Urushi and a fine dusting of charcoal powder across the entire body of the pen.Where many artisans blend charcoal powder with colored pigments,
Master Onimaru lets the natural dark tone of the charcoal stand on its own. This deep base allows the swirl pattern that follows to take center stage.The pattern itself is drawn with a traditional spatula called a Shikake-bera, dipped in black Urushi to create a graceful, flowing motif. Finally, the entire surface is polished by hand to reveal the pattern and bring out the smooth, even character of the charcoal.
The Artisan: Onimaru Mayumi
Master Onimaru Mayumi began her Urushi training as a young adult in Aomori. Over nearly two decades, she mastered the Tsugaru Urushi technique, celebrated for its vibrant colors, distinctive patterns, and designs that are nearly impossible to replicate.
When personal circumstances brought her to Oita Prefecture, she faced a defining choice: continue in the Tsugaru tradition, or forge a style entirely her own.We encouraged her to pursue the latter. The result is a technique that is uniquely hers, and one that future artisans in Oita may one day carry forward.
