Sailor - Urushi Rei 1st Edition Wajima Tame-Nuri FP 21K Gold IP (M) Fountain Pen

When we talk about Wajima Tame-nuri, we don't think of a simple finish, but of a culture of time.
This technique originates in Wajima, in the Noto Peninsula, where lacquer has never been mere decoration, but a necessity. The harsh climate has imposed durable surfaces, and from this need arose one of the most complex and refined traditions of Japanese lacquering: Wajima-nuri, developed over the centuries, from the Heian and Muromachi periods to its full maturity in the Edo period.

The Wajima-nuri is not learned quickly. It consists of dozens and dozens of steps, of invisible layers, of waits. For this reason, it requires years of apprenticeship under the guidance of master artisans. It is not just a technique: it is a discipline that shapes the character of the craftsman. Not surprisingly, the Wajima-nuri tradition is recognized in Japan as a cultural asset of primary importance.

The Tame-nuri

The Tame-nuri is the final gesture, the one that decides the character of the object.
An intermediate reddish layer is covered by a transparent lacquer, slightly brownish-red. The color is never immediate: it is deep, restrained, almost silent. And this is precisely its charm.

With use, with the contact of the hand and light, the surface slowly changes. The lacquer brightens, revealing the underlying color, acquiring a sheen that cannot be forced. Each pen becomes different, because the hand that accompanies it over time is different.

The Tame-nuri of this pen was created by the master lacquerer Masanori Sumi, who has been working in Wajima for over forty years. He is one of the very few artisans to have mastered the entire cycle of Wajima-nuri, more than a hundred steps ranging from the preparation of the base to the final polishing. In each of his works, there is a knowledge that cannot be abbreviated.

The Case

I chose for this pen to be housed in Japanese paulownia wood, the material traditionally used to protect lacquered objects. It is light, stable, respectful. The braided cord recalls those used in tea ceremony utensils, often associated with the figure of Sen no Rikyu: a silent detail, but full of meaning.

This is not a pen to be showcased.
It is a pen to inhabit.
And, like all things that truly matter, it only improves if given time.

Features:
Nib: Solid gold 21 carats

Filling System
Cartridge / Converter
(standard Sailor)

Materials

Section (grip): PMMA Resin
Cap and barrel: Ebonite with Wajima Tame-nuri lacquer (urushi)

Dimensions
Ø 17 × 151 mm

Weight
31.2 g

Packaging
Traditional case in paulownia wood
Dimensions: 156 × 201 × 49 mm