Decorated Pens

This is our page for pens with applied decoration which are not shown or neatly fit elsewhere on our site. 'Decoration' applies to a number of techniques. Please visit our pages on Yotubisi, Carved Pens, and Hiramakie to see a fuller ranges of styles and types.

Two years ago we visited a small out-of-the-way shop and saw these pens in a showcase and asked the owner to show them to us, eventually us asking if they were for sale. He was an ex-penmaker from the 1950s and said they were his 'babies' and not for sale. An incredible assortment one will not soon see again.

Sailor has always been a great marque for us and, to top it off, Miki's niece has been their representative responsible for overseas sales fulfillment. Most of our pens have some elaborate decoration, including our Sailors. This pre-war model only has an engraved cap band. In it's simplicity, it is supremely elegant.

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We like dragons! Sometimes we buy lots (many!) and find hidden jewels. This pen was encrusted with a grey compound that was almost as hard as rock. Since it was a large encrustation we thought there might be something of benefit inside. Gold dust on black urushi and lacquered band with dragon motif. Took some work cleaning it up. We specialize in this type of restoration.

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One of the great makers of custom pens in the 1930s was Marukin. We have been fortunate to acquire a few and wish to share some photographs with you. The barrel and cap are six-sided hard rubber with gold bands where they join at the section when capped. It is, of course, an eyedropper as were approximately 90% of the pens from the era. It was not always this color. As it is ebonite, it was originally black. Fortunately, the aging process was very kind and a uniform patina has been created throughout.

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Below is a strong kanshitsu technique application from the 1950s. Kanshitsu  is the application of urushi mixed with filler material, sometimes sawdust, to create a rough irregular finish. Often, it is used to create designs in relief.

Many think all the great pens were made by the Big Three but, this is not so. This model was made in the early middle 1950s and is of the highest quality. Unfortunately, the name of the manufacturer is not noted.

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Etching of designs into the surface layer of urushi has been popular since the 1930s. Likely many hundreds, if not thousands, of this type of decorated pen once existed. Inexpensive and rarely found with gold nibs, they are often discovered in new condition. The technique is simple and was performed by many artists. Prior to carving, the design is drawn on rice paper and overlaid on the barrel and cap. The artist carves along the lines. The large size photograph does not show too much of the design so, scroll down.

Ahh! A spider in his web. We can only guess what might be under the label.

A new pen with a new gold plated nib that was common in the early 1950s.

RYOJUSEN

霊鷲山