SAILOR LIMITED EDITION SUSUTAKE
      MAKI-E KABUKI
     FOUNTAIN
    PEN 
    
	
	
	
	
      SAILOR LIMITED EDITION SUSUTAKE
      MAKI-E KABUKI
     FOUNTAIN
    PEN 
    
		
		
		"Susutake" (Smoked Bamboo) is a special type of bamboo obtained from the 
		roof timbers from old traditional Japanese thatched-roof style houses 
		most of which are in excess of 150 years old. The surface of the bamboo 
		is naturally colored to a deep red brown color from continuous exposure 
		to the smoke of the "Irori" (a traditional Japanese sunken fire/hearth). 
		Different color tones are seen in the surface of the material depending 
		upon its location and the type and quantity of the smoke over time. The 
		continuous smoke over centuries has "seasoned" the bamboo material 
		making it flexible and stable. The special appeal of Susutake is the 
		fact that it is a natural material. Susutake is a highly treasured 
		material used in traditional tea ceremonies in Japan for centuries. The 
		raw material is becoming increasingly rare and difficult to obtain.
		
		 
      
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
			
			Ms. Kato was trained at the Institute of Wajima Lacquer Arts in 
			Ishikawa Prefecture, and has exhibited various Maki-e works mainly 
			through New Work for Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Shitsukou-Kai, 
			and San-no-Kai. Her originality and artistic senses shown in the 
			Maki-e works are highly valued by the experts.
			In 1990, she worked on the restoration of Takamikura (the Emperor’s 
			throne) and Michoudai (a curtained platform used by nobles in Heian 
			period) in the Imperial Household Agency. In 1993, she created the *Hyoumon 
			Lacquer Box for the Shikinen Sengu Ceremony- the renewal of the 
			shrine conducted every twenty years, in the Ise-Jingu (the shrine of 
			Gods). 
			Ms. Kato works closely on a variety of Maki-e projects for the 
			Sailor brand fountain pens including the "Susutake" Maki-e Limited 
			Editions. 
			*Hyoumon Lacquer is a technique in which thin strips of precious 
			metals are applied onto the base material, and then lacquer coated 
			and polished. 
			
			 
	
	
	
	
	
      Maki-e is an ancient
      Japanese art that combines intricate lacquer painting with a variety of
      surface decorations. These traditionally include powered gold and other
      precious metals, gemstones, mother of pearl or abalone shell.
      
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
      This 1200-year-old art form
      was created to embody the harmony of man with nature. Sailor Maki-e
      instruments are exclusively designed by commissioned Japanese artisans
      utilizing the rich Maki-e heritage of Japan’s Kaga region.
     
    	
	
	
	
	
    
      Sailor, in honoring this
      art form, has chosen to offer only true hand-made Maki-e techniques
      including…
    
    
       
    
    
      “Chinkin”, which
      involves the application of small gold pieces into the surface of the
      lacquer, and “Raden”, the delicate application of fine shavings of
      abalone shell into the lacquer surface…
    	
    
	
	
	
	
	Dimension
	
	Length                     
	174mm
	
	Diameter                  
	16mm
	
	            
	With-out Cap           
	150mm            
	
      SAILOR LIMITED EDITION SUSUTAKE
      MAKI-E KABUKI 
	FOUNTAIN
    PEN