Sailor Urushi Rei Wajima Tamenuri Fountain Pen

Sailor Urushi Rei Wajima Tamenuri Fountain Pen

Wajima-nuri Craftsmanship (Ishikawa, Japan)

In the city of Wajima, on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, one of Japan’s most demanding lacquer traditions has been preserved for centuries. Wajima’s harsh climate required particularly durable urushi coatings, leading to the development of countless processes from the base layer to the final coating. Over time, Wajima-nuri became famous throughout Japan as a hallmark of excellence. The traditional Wajima urushi technique has been recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.

Techniques: Akebono and Tamenuri

Among the techniques practiced in Wajima are Akebono (reference: Sailor Urushi Rei Akebono; internal link pending) and Tamenuri, which is applied in this piece.

Finish of this piece

The pen is finished over a red urushi base with successive dark layers on top, allowing the underlying red hue to subtly show through. With use and the passage of time, this reddish light becomes more vivid, and the surface gains a deep and ever-changing gloss.

Artisan

The Tamenuri of this fountain pen was created by Masanori Sumi, an artisan based in Wajima with over four decades of experience. He began his training at a workshop in the 1970s and is one of the few specialists who master more than one hundred urushi lacquering processes, including preparation, base coating, intermediate coating, top coating, and polishing.

Paulownia Wood Case

The Japanese paulownia wood box is the ideal container for preserving lacquered pieces due to its stability and lightness, featuring a fine, detailed grain. The braided strap is sturdy and traditionally associated with tea utensils, like those used by the historical tea master Sen no Rikyū.

At Inktraveler we include a complimentary ink bottle so you can enjoy the pleasure of writing from the very first moment.

Specifications

• Nib: 21K gold
• Filling system: Converter and cartridge
• Materials: Grip section in PMMA resin; cap and barrel in ebonite with Wajima Tamenuri lacquer finish
• Size: φ17 × 151 mm
• Weight: 31.2 g
• Presentation: Paulownia wood box (156 × 201 × 49 mm).

Images for reference only: slight variations may exist from the original product.

"Each stroke reveals, beneath the lacquer, the light once concealed by time. The Sailor Urushi Rei Wajima Tamenuri embodies craftsmanship and patience—a beauty that deepens with use, writing after writing."