Danitrio Urushi Maki-e Sakura on Stream on Takumi Fountain Pen
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, have been a part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.
For over 2 decades now Danitrio has made and continues to make remarkable hand painted pens using the Japanese skill and craftsmanship. During the peaceful Tokugawa Era (1603-1868) Samurai had too much leisure time to spend, and the designs by Urushi paintings on their scabbards became fashionable as salesmen’s ties in dress suits today.
Danitrio makes remarkable hand painted pens using the Japanese skill and craftsmanship that has been mastered over the last few thousand of years. Good basic paintings start with base painting, which the craftsmen paint twice or three times with Urushi mixed with finishing powders to make the base hard and durable. Then followed by the interim paintings which is done by one or two layers preparing for finishing paintings.
The base for Urushi paintings must be smooth and strong in order to have a good Urushi painting, which will last thousands of years. When the base is ready for painting, the first painting uses Sabi, Urushi mixed with polishing powders, as its base painting and call it Shita-nuri, the base painting. Then, Naka-nuri, the interim painting with Urushi is preparing for better Uwa-nuri, the finishing part of painting. The color of the interim painting has to be selected according to the color of the finishing part of painting. All these works are usually done by Nu-shi, craftsmen of Urushi paintings, painting 7 times in average and it takes 2-3 weeks before the Nu-shi can send back the pens to our Maki-e sh, who will do more Urushi painting works or Maki-e onto the pens.
The pen fills via cartridge convertor and features an 18kt gold nib.
MSRP on this pen is $1700 ($100 more for the painted clip)
