Sailor Nawate Kuroginhaku Fountain Pen - Bespoke - Sei (Glossy)

Sailor Nawate Kuroginhaku Fountain Pen - Bespoke - Sei - presented in a lustrous glossy finish, described as shining "like a radiant star against the jet-black night sky.”

Sailor Bespoke collection: the Traditional Japanese Lacquer Art “Nawate Kuroginhaku” fountain pen series. This series is a masterful collaboration with third-generation lacquer artist Toru Yoshida, blending traditional Japanese artistry with the renowned quality of a Sailor fountain pen.

Origin of Nawate and Kuroginhaku

The pen series is named Nawate from the Japanese word "Nawate.” Definitions of the word include the paths between square rice paddies, a long, straight road, and a strand of rope. This name was chosen as the vertical striation in the cap is the most characteristic feature of the pens. The striation gives the cap the visual effect of being elegantly long and provides a stable grip for capping and uncapping.

The black silver foil, or Kuroginhaku, attains its elegant depth through sulfurization. This is a natural transformation in which 99.99% pure silver foil meets sulfur to form silver sulfide. Each sheet reveals subtle variations in tone, giving rise to a graceful, unique organic pattern for every piece.

The process involves several key steps:

1.     Base Coating: The foundation is prepared with two coats of black Sugurome Urushi.

2.     Creating Stria: Striations—vertical lines on the cap—are created in three rounds using a spatula on a base of Urushi and polishing powder. Polishing is conducted after each round (layer) to achieve the desired surface.

3.     Foil Decoration: A thin coat of Urushi is applied, and pieces of Kuroginhaku foil are delicately and purposefully scattered before the Urushi dries.

4.     Setting the Foil: Fuki Urushi (wiping lacquer with a special cloth) is conducted to set the foil pieces in the hardening Urushi.

5.     Finishing: Sei undergoes polishing using compound to a shine, playing up the mottled foil patterns. While Ei undergoes a final Fuki Urushi step where Urushi is soaked into the surface and wiped with a special cloth to bring out the texture of the Urushi, resulting in the matte finish.

The Intricate Crafting Process

The Sailor Nawate Kuroginhaku pens are crafted using layers of Urushi (Japanese lacquer), which are brushed in irregular strokes. This intricate process reveals a depth, subtle shading, and shifting expressions under changing light—nuances impossible to achieve with a uniform black surface.

Details:

• Material: Ebonite
• Unique craftsmanship of applying Black Silver Foil on Aizu-nuri lacquered Ebonite
• Nib: Large size 21K solid gold in Medium point
• Trims: Gold IP plated
• Comes in a high grade Paulownia wood box
  
• φ18.7×151.6mm
• 31.2g

This pen is only available at Bespoke dealers.