Ishime-nuri Asama - Yoganryu

Notice: Each Urushi fountain pen is handcrafted with no two pieces exactly alike, which is a valuable characteristic of hand-crafted art. Therefore, the pen that you received might be slightly different from the prototype pictures, yet, at the same time, it will be a unique artwork of your own. Inspiration Japan is a land where people have long lived alongside the forces of the earth. Volcanoes rise from the land, reminding us of nature’s power while becoming an important part of the local landscape and culture. In Shimane Prefecture, where Master Nagaya Momoko has helped revive the tradition of Yakumo Urushi Art, the close connection between people and nature inspired her to create this series of three fountain pens. Each pen interprets a different stage and expression of volcanic activity, transforming the immense energy of the earth into a refined object designed to be held in the hand. The first represents the crater, the dramatic opening through which a volcano reveals the power beneath the earth. The second depicts flowing lava, capturing the movement and intensity of molten rock as it travels across the landscape. The third draws inspiration from cooled volcanic rock, where the once-fiery force of the eruption has become solid, dark, and enduring. Through Master Nagaya Momoko’s Ishime-nuri craftsmanship, the volcanic landscapes of Shimane are given a new form, preserving the character of fire, movement, stone, and time within each pen. What was once an immense force of nature is transformed into something intimate: a piece of volcanic inspiration that can be held in the hand and become part of our everyday writing. The Design (Yoganryu / Flowing Lava) Yoganryu, meaning “Lava Flow,” captures the movement and energy of molten rock as it travels across the landscape. The smooth texture of the black Ishime-nuri is strategically sliced through with tendrils of a dark, amber color. Signifying the flow of lava down the side of a volcano, Master Nagaya uses the Byakudan-nuri Technique (Sandalwood Technique) to create an ethereal, burnished gold effect. Its black Ishime-nuri foundation represents the dark, rugged earth, while flowing veins of amber Byakudan-nuri emerge across the surface like streams of incandescent lava glowing beneath the night sky. As with a volcanic landscape, no two patterns are exactly alike, giving each pen its own organic character. The interplay between the deep black Ishime texture and warm amber accents transforms the pen into a miniature landscape of fire and stone. Ishime-nuri - Urushi Technique Ishime-nuri (Stone Lacquer Technique) originated in Niigata Prefecture, and it was originally intended to mimic the texture of stone like those found in Japanese Zen Gardens. Although the pens remain smooth to the touch, there is a light, porous texture to the touch that feels comfortable, especially when in the midst of writing with a pen. Master Nagaya achieves this unique look and sensation through the use of dried lacquer powder (Kanshitsu), which she creates by applying Urushi onto a glass plate and letting it dry before she peels it off. Afterwards, Master Nagaya grinds it into a fine powder by using a Yagen (薬研), which is an ancient version of a mortar-and-pestel, thus transforming Urushi into Kanshitsu. The Kanshitsu is applied onto the ebonite pen before the initial coating of Urushi (Japanese lacquer) has matured, and further polished by hand until Master Nagaya is satisfied with her art. The difficulty of this technique lies in the timing and the chemistry. When the Kanshitsu powder comes into contact with the Urushi, it can easily clump, especially due to the naturally high viscosity of the lacquer, and maintaining a consistent texture throughout the entire Dream Pen is a significantly time consuming process. Since it is handpolished, Master Nagaya must constantly check to make sure she has not overpolished or underpolished, and she must continuously check the humidity levels inside her studio. Although the Ishime-nuri process is one of the most complex techniques in Japanese Urushi Arts, its challenging nature plays a significant role in its beauty. Like the Stone Gardens of Japan's Edo Period, seeing and holding a pen made with Ishime-nuri instills calm and tranquility within. Ishime-nuri & Byakudan Combined Unlike traditional Ishime-nuri, Master Nagaya combines the Ishime-nuri and Byakudan-nuri techniques to create an expression uniquely her own. While much of her work is rooted in the Yakumo Urushi tradition, she continues to explore new possibilities by combining different Urushi techniques to create forms that have never been seen before. The contrast between Ishime-nuri's matte, stone-like texture and the deep amber glow of Byakudan-nuri creates a striking impression of flowing lava, capturing the movement and energy of molten earth. Each pen takes at least 3–6 months to complete, with only a limited number produced in each batch. The Artisan: Nagaya Momoko Born in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Nagaya Momoko graduated from the illustrious Kanagawa College of Art before opening her own studio in the city of Izumo. With the aim of preserving and developing the local traditional craft of Yakumo-nuri, she works on creating artworks that masterfully meld modern innovations with traditional Yakumo-nuri. When we learned of Nagaya Momoko’s personal philosophy, it was clear that it aligned with our own commitment to preserving traditional arts, which is why we hope our collaboration will be the beginning of more artworks that can raise awareness of these underrated techniques. Specifications Material & art: Ebonite, Ishime-nuri, Byakudan-nuri (Made in Japan) Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard) Nib: 18K Shogun Nib (#6 size) Feed: Plastic Compact air-tight cap: Prevents ink drying issue Packaging Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Converter + Cartridge