Urushi Obsession

[raging.dragon]

Siv:

What's the Short flat top next to last on your right as you view the photo? Monsoon started yet? #7 0ut of 8 pens. Beautiful Urushi collection. Jim

That's a short octagon and I can't remember the name of the finish but it's a sparkly blue and silver.

 

If the finish is smooth it's probably Nashiji.

 

If the surface is textured it's probably Hirame-Ishimei.

[professionaldilettante]

Stan, it's easy to get blugeoned with marketing that makes traditional, often inefficient and labour-intensive methods, appear superior. It is especially the case when dealing with markets that exploit East-West dichotomies and try to take advantage of cultural and linguistic ignorance. You hear a word like urushi without knowing a lick of Japanese and one's mind floats to some centuries-old legendary oriental material, rather than just "lacquer". Just tell them that it was used on sword saya, and you get to throw all the goofy romance surrounding the bushi-samurai culture in there.

 

However, to justify the cost, it seems that it's easiest to just discuss how incredibly hard it is to produce, how long the artisans must study, and how much time it takes.

 

I was baffled by the obsession some have over urushi (excluding maki-e), but then I discovered it's something to cling to when trying to justify an entry-level Nakaya or similar purchase. If I knew nothing about urushi, I might have myself gone that way to buy a kuro-tamenuri Piccolo. The nib and body shape does not justify the cost for me, though the desire is strong enough to encourage hunting around for more justification.

The point you make about Urushi that it is just lacquer isn't just. Lacquer is in general, a wood finish that is clear and dries by solvent evaporation. Urushi would fall under varnish, but even then, it's a a very specific type of finish, one that is harder and more durable than most.

[Painterspal]

I've really enjoyed this discussion. I guess I too lean more to the aesthetic side of the debate. I don't buy urushi pens for their utility so much, because although Nakayas, Danitrios etc are all thoroughly useable pens, many pens are useable. And, much as I value the strength and durability of urushi, that's not the main driver for me either.

 

As others have already said more eloquently, it's the beauty of the things themselves that fascinates, and the sense that they were actually made by someone, a human whose presence one can subtly detect in the construction and finish of the pen itself. In a world where the human dimension has largely disappeared; where I daily use gadgets and equipment so perfectly constructed that I can't imagine how they were made, and so sophisticated that I can't understand how they work, that gives them a special quality. I can sense how these pens were made, even if I don't know all the details and couldn't do it myself.

 

 

Add that, like us, the pens are all slightly different and individual, even within a particular model; that ebonite is warm to the touch and the finishes tactile and nice to hold; that the colours are pleasing and the pens often simple and understated; that they aren't too heavy, are better balanced than most, and usually comfortable to hold; that the back story behind their construction fits well with the product and feels authentic - put all this together and their appeal becomes clear.

 

These are things that are at once utilitarian and also works of great craftsmanship or, in the case of maki-e, Art with a capital A. Something beautiful that you can take to the office and actually use - what not to like?

 

It probably also explains why other pens that seem to share the same or similar virtues are to an extent regarded differently, and not always so highly prized. The Pilot 845 (and others like it) is less popular because it looks more like a 'normal' pen and it doesn't touch the same aesthetic nerves, excellent though it certainly is.

 

Just my two pence worth...

[XiaoMG]

The point you make about Urushi that it is just lacquer isn't just. Lacquer is in general, a wood finish that is clear and dries by solvent evaporation. Urushi would fall under varnish, but even then, it's a a very specific type of finish, one that is harder and more durable than most.

Thanks, but I was using lacquer in a generic sense, rather than a pedantic one. The tree is generally called a lacquer tree, and the resin is often referred to as lacquer, and the word qi/urushi is generic in Chinese and Japanese and is generally translated to English as lacquer. Sure, it is a varnish. My previous comment stands.

[Physalis]

Originally I was attracted to urushi because of its beauty, which drove me to buy a couple pens despite the high cost. Then I dropped a Nakaya onto a metal surface... and there was no damage whatsoever to the coating. That was pretty mind blowing for me! Beauty, durability, and nice tactile feel are why I like urushi.

[requiescat]

I don't own an urushi pen, but for me the appeal is not because urushi looks exotic. It's because I grew up with lacquerware/lacquered items (in my parents' house, my grandparents') in Korea, I miss seeing it now that I'm in the USA, and it makes me nostalgic. I hope someday I'll be able to save up for a Nakaya, but I imagine it'll be a while.

[ethernautrix]

I don't own an urushi pen, but for me the appeal is not because urushi looks exotic. It's because I grew up with lacquerware/lacquered items (in my parents' house, my grandparents') in Korea, I miss seeing it now that I'm in the USA, and it makes me nostalgic. I hope someday I'll be able to save up for a Nakaya, but I imagine it'll be a while.

 

You bring up a salient point for me, resquiescat. I love my kuro tamenuri Desk Pen, because it reminds me of my mother's stationery box and other sundry items in the home when I was growing up.

 

It's a subtle yet powerful reminder....

[jde]

Urushi? Mmmm.... tastes soooo goooood....

 

Every time Siv posts a photo of his Ki-Dame short octagon, I seriously need to have it... (3rd pen from the left in his photo!)

 

As some others have written, I'm not into urushi for the sake of it. 'Tis the beauty and the simplicity. I lean towards the tamenuri technique in pens. I love the way my Danitrios and Nakaya feel in my hand when I write with them. I love the sound they make when I uncap them: like porcelain. Yet they are tough!

 

There's the mass produced dinner plates I eat off of, and then there's the special piece of antique china someone gave me. I know the difference between them, ay? I like them both for different reasons. More likely I'll eat from the one given me because of the total experience received by doing so.

 

For me, I appreciate the art and craft of these pens. That they are utilitarian tools makes it possible for me to justify having them. I never thought I could own these types of pens. It's amazing what a little will and some savings can do.

 

We all come to have fountain pens for different reasons. Some of my best pals are celluloid sniffers.

[leod]

I do like the finishes of these pens, celluloid and lacquers are dominant in EU pens and Maki-e, urushi in Japan makes. I just wish more filling options are available besides ED or C/C.

 

Danitrio somehow confuses me, they are US company with Japanese craft and German nibs, beautiful pens nonetheless.

[Mattishme]

I do like the finishes of these pens, celluloid and lacquers are dominant in EU pens and Maki-e, urushi in Japan makes. I just wish more filling options are available besides ED or C/C.

 

Danitrio somehow confuses me, they are US company with Japanese craft and German nibs, beautiful pens nonetheless.

 

I like button fillers myself, but for fairly obvious reasons cc fillers tend to predominate the market at present. A piston filler or two more would be nice, but they do have them. Also, Pilot makes a plunger filler and I believe someone did say there is a company that makes a button filler. Must find Japanese button filler.

 

What I would like to see is some painting with Urushi on the pens like the old Grieshabers. I am sure there is out there. So someone should send me one.

 

As far as the urushi goes, I like the feel and the colors. Nakaya's unpolished shu is just gorgeous. Also, though I have not had the experience yet, I like the way the way they age. Modern Plastic and old celluloid doesn't really age well. A certain amount of impermanence is nice. I also like laugh lines.

 

As far as Dani Trio goes, I don't really understand your confusion. The barrels of the pens are made by Japanese artisans. The nibs are made by Bock, but to Dani specs. They are incorporated in California. Companies live in the world as much as in separate countries. The really relevant question is who does the nib set up. Since Dani's "flexi" nibs behave like actual flexible nibs WHO CARES where the gold was stamped. No, it is not vintage flex, but it is still pretty good. Moreover, none of the other Bock nib companies (Bexley, Omas, Pelikan and so on) offer that.

 

Is Omas Italian, German, or Chinese? I would say Italian, but I could be wrong. Finally, even in the days of yore you might have a German sword with say, an Italian hilt and a Spanish frog. Lastly, toward the latter part of his career Manray had other people print his photographs. I think they were still Man Ray's work. Similarly, is Mitsuko Uchida German if she plays Bach? Maybe, but probably not. My point, well one of them, is that the intention that animates and shapes the work is probably more important than the origin of the materials.

 

And I swear I will find and beat the first person who mentions the "soul of the pen" with a gel pen until they scream precious resin. If the guys at Hakase, I think there are two, would make me pen with a vintage Waterman flexi nib I would say it had the soul of a Japanese person living in New York. Anyways, a Japanese person who wants to do Japanese calligraphy is probably going to use a brush or roll with Nagahara-san's brilliance - which I am not entirely sure can be contained by its country.

 

My other point, well one of them, is that world is chock full of mutts and purity is pretty boring.

 

You asked a fair question, I just think it's based on some false assumptions.

 

The real question you should be asking yourself, if you like vintage pens anyways, is why every conversation about a new pen starts with: "well it's not vintage, but it is still really good."

 

Now if I can just find a way into the Procyon vault of vintage Watermans - talk about hoarding. Sheesh.

 

I apologize if I sound grumpy or seem mean. Way too tense at the moment.

 

It occurs to me that most of this post is parenthetical in character.

[melissa59]

I don't own an Urushi, probably never will because of the cost factor.

Still, I think it's interesting.

 

Go to this post and scroll down to the third video, the one that looks to be a bucket of water. It gives a little idea of how an Urushi pen was made for Edison Pens. I wish I could have bought one of those. They remind me of a giraffe, which are my favorite zoo animal after the Gorilla.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224630-a-few-urushi-minas-left/

[Mattishme]

I don't own an Urushi, probably never will because of the cost factor.

Still, I think it's interesting.

 

Go to this post and scroll down to the third video, the one that looks to be a bucket of water. It gives a little idea of how an Urushi pen was made for Edison Pens. I wish I could have bought one of those. They remind me of a giraffe, which are my favorite zoo animal after the Gorilla.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224630-a-few-urushi-minas-left/

 

Giraffes and gorrillas are cool.

Edited July 12, 2012 by Mattishme

[Pen2009]

The more I collect fountain pens, the more I started appreciating craftmanship of each new pen I acquire, especially ones made of ebonite, celluloid, wood (briarwood, yakusugi and other types of woods) and sterling silver. I have a few pens with tamaneuri finish (kuro-black, aka-red and sora-green).

 

The urushi finish requires craftmanship on the part of the manufacturer to make such a pen.

 

I like the subtle look of tamanuri finish as I am not really into a in-your-face type of blingy pen.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Pen2009

[Siv]

... craftmanship ...

The perfect word to describe modern urushi.

Edited July 17, 2012 by Siv

[Mattishme]

... craftmanship ...

The perfect word to describe modern urushi.

 

Also, I good Urushi pen will do against Ninjas in a snap. Unless it is a ninja pen. Then your goose is cooked and served over rice.