Platinum Izumo Fountain Pen – Hon-Urushi Hira Maki-e Hama no Matsu (Shore Pine)

We have applied an ebonite barrel to all of the three models, which is known as the best material to be used in the body of a fountain pen for its heat resistant performance. The arising sea of clouds, which are the symbolic image of the Izumo Shrine, are expressed with the maki-e technique, and the floating clouds painted on the ceiling of the Izumo Shrine, are used as a motif and described brightly with colored urushi. Yakumonuri technique applies several coatings of sukiurushi (transparent lacquer), in which urushi becomes increasingly more transparent with time, thus the pattern starts slightly to emerge, changing into a deeper and richer pattern within its glossy finish. This streamlined king size design offers a relaxed writing that does not need the cap on the back of their pens.

Manufacturing process of “Yakumo Byakudan”
1. Paste the gold leaf on the entire ebonite body.
2. The sea of clouds is painted with silver powder and kinsunago (gold dust) is spread as an accent.
3. Using a replication of the illustration from the ceiling of the Izumo Shrine as a motif, the floating clouds are described with brightly colored urushi. To accentuate the design, the outlining has been drawn in silver.
4. Lastly, multi-layers of sukiurushi (transparent lacquer) are applied as the finish.

The Story of Yagumonuri Lacquerware

Lacquer (urushi) has an old history that dates back to he Stone Age. Its etymology is said to come from the idea “to moisten,” or uruosu in Japanese. Lacquer has been expressed through traditional crafts rooted in Japanese culture across the ages. There are numerous ways of applying lacquer. Yagumonuri uses a technique known as maki-e (Japanese lacquer sprinkled with gold or silver powder). The deep, rich colors represent the sea of clouds and the heavens based on a motif of “thick clouds” (Yagumo) as found in the drawing on the ceiling of Izumo Taisha shrine. This gives Yagumonuri a sort of mysterious feel. In this technique, the base of transparent lacquer becomes visible by applying a semi-transparent layer on top to finish. As the piece ages, the colors become more vivid for people to enjoy. Each piece created using maki-e is hand-finished by skilled artisans using an amazing number of processes combined with traditional artistic techniques.

The Platinum Pen Company was born in Shimane, Izumo-no-kuni. Company founder Shunichi Nakata christened the “Izumo” collection of fountain pens in 2010 with the blessing of city officials and to acknowledge the company’s origins. The city has in turn recognised the Platinum Izumo as one of the city’s designated “Izumo brands”.

THE ART AND HISTORY OF URUSHI

The history of Urushi lacquer goes back to the Stone Age.
The timeless art of Urushi has for centuries brought to life the intricate depth of Japanese history and culture.
‘NURI（Urushi coating) has many coating techniques. Tamenuri (Urushi lacquer) has many processes. All processes have been performed by traditional experienced craftsman. A vivid beautiful urushi lacquer finish will increase in beauty over time, you can be proud of Urushi lacquer fountain pen. The URUSHI fountain pen will outlast an original owner by many generations and can be passed on for each succeeding generation to enjoy and treasure.