How your Fellowship pens were made...

[winedoc]

Danitrio were kind enough to forward these pictures and descriptions, so I thought some of you might be interested in finding out how the pens were made, so here we go....

 

Use Yakogai (green snail or marble turban) painted the shape of flowers with Chinese ink on the back side. The shells are only 0.1mm thick scratched into shape of Kikyo (Chinese bellflower) by a needle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG-1984.jpg

 

The scratched shells are covered by masking tape, and then precisely cut into the wanted shapes The tape pasted on the shells hard to peel off. Then, Urushi is painted on the back side and pasted and press onto the pen and through the tape. When the Urushi is dried, the tape will be taken off from the pen. Then Urushi is painted on the shells and it will be burnished when dried.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_1985.jpg

 

Braided Hat. Use Komaru Fude (small space painting brush) to paint with Jinuri Urushi (Urushi mixed with Indian red ) and raise the shape of the hat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_1997.jpg

 

Raise the above braided hat with charcoal powder, and Urushi is painted on the raised part.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2006.jpg

 

The above raised part is painted with Rose Urushi (Roiro Urushi mixed with clued Urushi by 50/50) And this part will be burnished when the Urushi dried.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2012.jpg

 

Waraji (straw sandals) Start painting with Urushi on the sandals, tiny space painting with Saki-shiro, brush with a springy white tip good for curved or circle line painting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2016.jpg

 

#6 size Gold powder is sprinkled on the sandals with a tube.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2022.jpg

 

Use high quality Roiro Urushi to paint very thinly on the powder sprinkled sandals.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2025.jpg

 

The above burnished braided hat is raised again with Urushi. The surface is polished with charcoal when the Urushi dried. Then, crude Urushi is used to rub the surface.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2034.jpg

 

Hamaguri (clam) is also raised with Urushi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2078.jpg

 

Gold powder is sprinkled on the braided hat. Then, use very fine brushes (Neji-fude and Saki-shiro Fude) paint evenly and very thinly on it, and followed by #6 gold powder sprinkling on it when the Urushi was going to dry.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2109.jpg

 

Tsue (cane) is drawn. Use the finest brush to draw the cane with a bit heavy Urushi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2124.jpg

 

#8 gold powder is sprinkled on the cane.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2128.jpg

 

The gold on the braided hat is covered with colored Urushi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2132.jpg

 

To be continued....

 

 

[winedoc]

The dried cane is painted with Roiro Urushi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2136.jpg

 

Urushi painting on the already raised clam.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2101.jpg

 

#4 gold powder is sprinkled on the clam. Then, use crude Urushi to rub the surface twice and carefully burnish it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2105.jpg

 

Momiji, maple. Draw the maples with Urushi and #4 gold powder and gold silver mixed powder are sprinkled on it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_1988.jpg

 

Use needle to scratch lines on the gold silver mixed powdered part of the leaves

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2010.jpg

 

Use red Urushi paint partly on maple leaves. The rest of the part is rubbed with Urushi.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2028.jpg

 

Burnishing on maples on the cap. Burnishing on the braided hat, the sandals, the cane and maple on the barrel. When all these parts are dried completely, charcoal and crystal grindstone are used for burnishing and then carefully rub to clean the surface.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2088.jpg

 

Draw the Haiku using Neji-fude, the finest brushes made with rat hairs, a bit heavily with fine lines.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2114.jpg

 

Use #3 small size gold powder sprinkling on the Haiku with a brush. Then, use Urushi to rub the Haiku twice. The surface will be polished with charcoal powder mixed with water.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2119.jpg

 

Drawing on the surface of the braided hat. Use Neji-fude to draw the clam and use #1 silver powder and #2 gold powder to sprinkle on it separately. Also use Neji-fude to draw the maples, braided hat, Kikyo flowerand use #2 gold powder to sprinkle on it, use #1 Aokin (gold and silver powder mixed) on the leaves of Kikyo.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2251.jpg

 

Use cotton with crude Urushi to rub the whole surface. Then clean it with paper and then use oil very thinly on it and use finger with Roiro burnishing powder to bring the luster to the surface.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2264.jpg

 

Finally use red Urushi to draw the Kao.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2255.jpg

 

 

and here is Master Maki-e Artist presenting you the pen.... Hope you enjoy the tour..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Basho/IMG_2289.jpg

 

Kevin

[ethernautrix]

That is amazing, Kevin. Thank you for sharing these photos. At last I can show this to people who think I'm crazy for spending "so much for a pen." It isn't just a pen; it's a work of art. Well worth it.

 

And it's nice to see a photo of the artisan, Kosetsu-san, too!

[I am not a number]

And work has finally decided to re-imburse my expenses so I have the money available in one lump!

[troglokev]

Thanks for this overview of the manufacturing process, Kevin. It really gives us an appreciation for the effort that goes into making these pens.

 

It's really good to see the enthusiasm with which Danitrio has supported this project. What a great bunch of people to deal with!

[jlepens]

WOW! Domo Arigato Gozaimazu!

[raillink]

Thanks for posting, Kevin.

Simply amazing !

[Doug C]

This really is just icing on the cake. I don't think I've ever been so excited to get a pen.

 

I'm thinking of printing out all of these pictures and keeping a special file for this pen alone.

 

You've heard it a million times, but a collective thanks from all of us.

Edited July 31, 2009 by Doug C

[Siv]

Simply stunning!

[French]

seeing the process, it is amazing that Danitrio was willing to sell these pens for the price we paid. As others have said, each pen is a work of art.

 

Once again, a huge thanks to Kevin for making this happen, to Danitro for keeping the price in a range that allowed the pen to be a reality for me, and to Kosetsu-san for using his talent to make a treasure.

 

French

[Margana]

OMG does that take steady hands! That brush must have all of three hairs in it.

 

Such beautiful work that I could never put ink in it. If I bought one, it would go on a pedestal under a glass dome.

[jpr]

This made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Unbelievable craftsmanship by the artist.

Congratulartions to you, Kevin, for making this very special pen come to fruition.

Kudos to Danitrio for recognizing their fans with this pen.

And, the biggest thanks to the Master Maki-e artist for, by all accounts, putting his heart and soul into the art of this pen.

 

[playpen]

Thank you for posting these pictures and thanks also to Danitrio for making these available to us.

 

I am curious about one detail. Why do they apply masking tape to the shell? I don't understand this step.

[jpr]

Maybe to help keep the shells in place while applying the urushi? Just a guess.

[playpen]

That sounds good to me. I also don't understand how they precisely cut out the shapes if there is tape over them.

[jpr]

Cookie cutter?

[Ernest]

Hi Kevin.

 

Those pictures are treasures.

I particularly like the last photo of the artisan with the finished product.

I should have ordered two!

 

Cheers,

Ernest

[Doug C]

Hi Kevin.

 

Those pictures are treasures.

I particularly like the last photo of the artisan with the finished product.

I should have ordered two!

 

Cheers,

Ernest

 

 

 

Speaking of this, Kevin (if it is not too much trouble), can you show two pens side by side, just to show the subtle differences between the pens?

 

 

 

[winedoc]

Hi Gail, the artist will be at the LA show... so, maybe you and Steve should consider coming to LA in Feb and you can ask Kosetsu san all the questions to your hearts content :-)... Your translator will be standing by (not me, but Hanada san)

 

Hi Doug, good idea, but let me pack up a few pens first before eager pen lovers strom my hiding place. LOL.

 

Thanks for all the kind words. Kosetsu san really pull this one off big time... did I tell you how excited that he will be making the trip to LA show? I think this may be his first time in the States. I'll find out and report back.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

[Chris Chalmers]

Thanks Kevin!

What skills, and such dedication..........and working with such tiny pieces takes so much concentration!

I'm lost for words.....for once!

I've sent this to Ray to show him why I am so obsessed with pens!!!! Not that he ever makes any fuss at all - I just wanted him to know what it takes to make a Fellowship pen! :notworthy1: :notworthy1: