N^o 5: Crane & Turtle

Both the crane and the turtle are symbols of long life and prosperity in Asian mythology. On this fountain pen, their bright-green eyes will give you the impression that they’re almost alive as they are moving over a fantastic ground that’s glittering with gold and carefully selected pieces of blue shell. This pen was realized with the Togidashi Taka-Maki-e technique.

The Togidashi-Maki-e technique

In this technique, the rare Japanese lacquer Urushi is applied in a multitude of layers which are polished many times. The design is drawn first with tracing paper and then with colored lacquer onto the surface of the fountain pen. It is then sprinkled with a multitude of lacquer-layers or gold and silver dust.

The Taka Maki-e technique

The artist mixes charcoal powder or gold powder into the lacquer, so that the pattern of the design is raised above the surface and a three-dimensional effect is created: If your thumb glides over the surface, you will feel the difference.