Danitrio Sunflower and Butterfly in photos...

[Jopen]

Well, finally, thanks to Kevin Cheng , Hironobu Okazaki and surely also by some support by his father (Kogaku) ... here it is!!!

 

My 6-7 months awaited Sunflower and Butterfly, the same that some of you have seen at LA Pen Show and later on photos published by co-father Kevin Cheng "Winedoc"... has arrived and is by me

 

I have promissed some photos, different from the fantastic photos already published by Kevin, and emphasizing in macro to show the magnificent work done by this very young and outstanding artist. Genetics and hard work have something to do here, for sure!

 

I hope that Kevin, Lisa (with or without skulls... :roflmho: ) and Joi have enough with that... for a while (laughs)

 

I'm not going to say anything about performance (not to worsen things) but it behaves like it is, like a Mikado with an oversized flex fine nib which is a real dream, as each one of them...

 

Last, but not least (I hope I wrote it well ... Lisa?) ... let me thank sincerely Kevin for all his help and involvement in this project that finally is a real beauty and that has not only fullfilled all my expectations, but it has gone further than my imagination...

 

Well, BEWARE... LOTS OF PHOTOS, BIG ONES... take your time, relax and leave some place for surprise and admiration by a work done by somebody that sure in the near future will be very well known...

 

 

 

 

First of all, here are the Genetics... Father and outstanding Maki-e artisan Koichiro Okazaki (Kogaku), his son Hironobu Okazaki, the author for this pen, and correct me Kevin if I'm wrong (Thanks for an outstanding work!), beside his mother and sister. Photo is by Kevin Cheng during their trip to Japan, robbed without permission, but the artisans (artists) MUST BE IN FIRST PLACE HERE!

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3311510905_0c01d68e57_o.jpg

 

 

On opening the big special Mikado box, there is what you see... without noticing it I kept my breath for quite a while. Thanks God, my wife (also a Doc was beside to assist me...)

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3311505371_e50921af39_o.jpg

 

 

The Sunflower side

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3312333126_1d8c752aa3_o.jpg

 

 

The Butterfly side

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/3311503307_6bf4e7f5ed_o.jpg

 

 

The pen uncapped...

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3312333506_13f72ece47_o.jpg

 

 

A detail on Sunflower and detailed leafs...

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3311504119_41df122cf3_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3311504505_351f609cdf_o.jpg

 

 

And the Butterfly...

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3311503775_962cdf13a8_o.jpg

 

 

Detailed views of Sunflower and Butterfly that show the obsessive-perfection of this work, well to the Okazaki tradition (Danitrio's standard!)

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3312335196_e5a3007c2f_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3312334900_d1e074ce9c_o.jpg

 

And to finish the series... the artist's signature and seal. I have not been able to see how many different techniques have been used in such a small space. They are sometimes not to be seen by the bare eye, but the result is perfect and spectacular... Just wanted to share my happiness with you all...

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3312334688_33e2e863a3_o.jpg

 

Thanks for looking... (please dry your keyboard before using it again! :ltcapd: )

 

I hope to have met your photographic expectations, Lisa. You are too god with a camera in your hands, pleas be indulgent with me... :blink:

Edited February 26, 2009 by Jopen

[ethernautrix]

Jose, I just came from your flickr site... and I am DAZED! This is the first time I ever wanted a Danitrio maki-e.

 

Wow.

 

I'm speechless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. I want.

 

Oh man do I want...

Edited February 26, 2009 by ethernautrix

[ethernautrix]

P.S. Again!

 

Ha ha ha, Jose, you are too kind with your flattery! I was so dazzled by your pen that it didn't register that you were saying nice things to me! Your photos are excellent! The pen -- your pen is a WONDER!

[Jopen]

Jose, I just came from your flickr site... and I am DAZED! This is the first time I ever wanted a Danitrio maki-e.

 

Wow.

 

I'm speechless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. I want.

 

Oh man do I want...

 

If YOU are speechless, you better go URGENTLY to Doc. Kevin, let yourself be explored, diagnosed and have the correct treatment... YOU CAN'T be speechless!!! THAT'S NOT YOU! ... THAT IS SERIOUS!!! :hmm1: :hmm1: :hmm1:

 

Thanks Lisa...

 

[ethernautrix]

I... I... wow... I... gosh...

 

...

 

I...

 

 

 

 

If I could talk, Jose, I would call Kevin and start making inquiries.

[playpen]

This is a gorgeous and stunning pen! Enjoy it in good health.

 

You referred to Kevin as co-father. What does that mean?

[Jopen]

This is a gorgeous and stunning pen! Enjoy it in good health.

 

You referred to Kevin as co-father. What does that mean?

 

I gave the first raw idea, but the experience and ideas (lots of them) given by Kevin, lots of e-mails now and them, perfect advice, consuel during the loooong wait, and his absolute involvement in the project respecting the initial meaning and base design, make him a reaal co-father... He knows well what he does, and he does it very well!

[Lloyd]

What ink is worthy of such a magnificent pen?

[OboeJuan]

Glargggghhhh.

 

Wow. Fabulous execution. Well done, all.

 

 

[jlepens]

Jopen, I am so happy you finally got hold of your pen. It is truly a work of art. You photo taking skills are amazing and you have highlighted the pen so well.

And as wonderful as the pictures are, in person it is on another level.

 

You will make us all think about what story we want a pen to tell!!!!!

 

 

Congrats, It is a lovely instrument.

Edited February 26, 2009 by jlepens

[dannyboy]

I can't decide which stuns me more--the skills of the photographer OR the beauty of the pen and its maker. Regardless, this is a fabulous pen, right up there on a throne with the best Maki-e work. But please don't ever post again--I can't stand much of this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pyrguy]

...I am DAZED! This is the first time I ever wanted a Danitrio maki-e.

 

Wow.

 

I'm speechless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. I want.

 

Oh man do I want...

 

Ths not the first time I've wanted one, just the first time I've considered selling a kidney.

[AndyH]

That is amazing work all around... I have never been particularly interested in this style, but this is.... wow.... wow....

[kiavonne]

Stunning.

Stunned.

 

There are not adjectives enough.

 

Thank you, Jopen. I am very much looking forward to going through the process myself. The idea is out there, we're just waiting for a response from the artist. I, too, told Kevin that I believe in giving the idea and then letting the artist take it to heights unimagined and untethered, unrestrained. If my pen(s) end up anywhere near the beauty of the Sunflower and Butterfly in their simplicity, I will be one happy person indeed.

 

Absolutely fabulous.

 

That is all.

 

[winedoc]

Glad the pen did not dissapoint. I am always nervous regarding custom works as we usually don't see the final results, and the anticipation sometimes can be just too much :-)

 

Your photos yet again impresses us all, simply fabulous macro shots and bring out the "mood" really well. Thank you for allowing me being a part of this process. It is truly exciting indeed.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

[kiavonne]

Glad the pen did not dissapoint. I am always nervous regarding custom works as we usually don't see the final results, and the anticipation sometimes can be just too much :-)

 

Your photos yet again impresses us all, simply fabulous macro shots and bring out the "mood" really well. Thank you for allowing me being a part of this process. It is truly exciting indeed.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

 

 

Don't be running off anywhere, Kevin. I have a hunch you will be involved in many more to come.

 

By the way, Jopen, I swear it looks like that butterfly is winking at you.

[desmonte]

Well!! What an amazing talent in one so young. The artistry of his father will be passed on to the next generation, thank goodness. Awesome.....

 

Desmond

[winedoc]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3311510905_0c01d68e57_o.jpg

 

slight correction here: from left to right: Mrs. Okazaki, Father Okazaki, Son Okazaki and Grandmom Okazaki. Yup 3 generation under one roof. Maki-e artists in general are not super rich, they do them for the love of traditional art, much like any artists. Their multi-level house is narrow, and more deep than wide as seen from photos bellow. Grandpa Okazaki is also a maki-e artist, so that's 3 generations of artists. Grandma is 76 y.o. and she looks wonderful with very little wrinkle and remains very active. Yamanaka is surrounded by lots of very fine hotsprings, maybe that's the secret of looking young :-)

 

During our tour in 2006, we had a traditional dinner with 4 maki-e artists and family. Here is the Okazaki clan with Mrs. Okazaki in traditional Kimono

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0373.jpg

 

Papa Okazaki at his work shop, which is rather small, but he is so neat, put my office to shame!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0375.jpg

 

His tools

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0378.jpg

 

Maki-e on other objects

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0379.jpg

 

Kevin

[ethernautrix]

slight correction here: from left to right: Mrs. Okazaki, Father Okazaki, Son Okazaki and Grandmom Okazaki. Yup 3 generation under one roof. Maki-e artists in general are not super rich, they do them for the love of traditional art, much like any artists. Their multi-level house is narrow, and more deep than wide as seen from photos bellow. Grandpa Okazaki is also a maki-e artist, so that's 3 generations of artists. Grandma is 76 y.o. and she looks wonderful with very little wrinkle and remains very active. Yamanaka is surrounded by lots of very fine hotsprings, maybe that's the secret of looking young :-)

...

Kevin

Thanks for the photos and more information, Kevin.

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

That is an incredible looking pen -- congratulations!