Yakumo-nuri Chijimi - Black

PRE-ORDER open, delivery from June 2026

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.

This pen comes with the 18K Shogun Nib. 

The Origin of Yakumo-nuri

Yakumo-nuri is a legendary Urushi (Japanese lacquer) technique that originated in Matsue City of Shimane Prefecture. Despite its reputation for beauty, it is a relatively young art style, having been invented by Matsue lacquer artist Heiichi Sakata in the early Meiji period. The name ‘Yakumo’ was invented by Heiichi Sakata, who was reportedly inspired by the oldest Japanese poem - Yakumo Tatsu. 

The Design

Chijimi

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. 

To achieve this, 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. This creates a texture akin to the grooves of an oak tree's bark, and just like a tree, the pattern will always be random, and impossible to replicate from one pen to another. 

While many pens have a beauty that can be appreciated by sight alone, the Yakumo-nuri - Chijimi Black is notable in that you can appreciate it visually and by holding it in your hand while writing. It's rare that you can actually feel the patterns and the design of the pen as you write, and it is because of this that you can form a bond with your new writing instrument that will be different from everything else. 

The Artisan: Nagaya Momoko

Born in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Nagaya Momoko graduated from the illustrious Kanagawa 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. 

Specifications

Base material: Ebonite

Art: Yakumo-nuri, Chijimi

Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)

Nib: 18K Solid Gold Shogun (Available in Rhodium-plated Form, as well)

Feed: Plastic

Compact air-tight cap: Prevents ink from drying prematurely

Packaging

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