An extraordinary book. Author Bernard Lyn assembles for the first time definitive examples and explanations of this ancient art form with over 100 lavish illustrations of skilled artisans and their creations in life-size and over-size graphics. This book is not meant to sit on a coffee table. To any avid pen collector it would serve as a valid and qualified source of information relative to Maki-e arts and the Japanese history of pen making.

Whether you are new to Maki-e arts or not, this book will serve as an excellent education covering not only the history of this ancient art form and also detailed examples of how Maki-e designs are created on fountain pens. This book is a journey from the very start of the Urushi sap collection process, the skilled artists, the various Maki-e decoration styles and to the final creation of a beautiful Maki-e writing instrument.

Materials for Maki-e

Maki-e (pronounced “Ma” as in “mat”, “Ki” as in “kit” and “e” as in “Edward” was created by Japanese in the 8th Century, and even today Maki-e can only be found in Japan due to its complicated techniques of painting which require both exceptional talent and incredible endurance. “Maki” of Maki-e means “sprinkling” or “sowing”, and “e” means “paintings”. Sprinkling gold or silver powders is one of the special characteristics of Maki-e. A good Maki-e artist needs not only natural talent, but has also usually begun training in the art form from a very early age. Many years of apprenticeship to his master are required before he is able to begin creating his own Maki-e. Just as an athlete needs a healthy mind and body, it is widely believed that Maki-e artists need strong cultural backgrounds in order to produce good Maki-e work.

The author takes the reader on a grand tour of over thirty major Urushi/Maki-e centers throughout Japan, and they all boast their special techniques and their hundreds of years of decorating history. One who is greatly familiar with Maki-e can tell from the finished art the source of this product by the design, patterns or Urushi painting. For example, Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture is well known for their Hidehira-nuri designing with gold leaves. Johoji in Iwate Prefecture is famous for their Tame-nuri. Certain patterns, textures and designs can be identified to particular artists who will specialize with the use of certain materials. The themes of Maki-e decoration are usually drawn from nature, illustrating birds, fish, Dieties, Demons and Gods, landscapes or simply dazzling effects of gold or silver dust. The pens themselves are usually formed from ebonite but animal horn is also used.

The various sources and natural ingredient qualities of Urushi are explained, describing the differences of Urushi sap from various Asian countries. Weather, wind, moisture and soil are the inherent ingredients as there are over 600 species of Urushi trees. The collecting, harvesting methods and processing of Urushi will vary greatly by region, the time of year it is harvested from June to September and the care of this process determines the final quality.

Other Major Techniques

Bernard Lyn explains that Maki-e was created in Japan 1,400 years ago. Togidashi-Maki-e was created in the Nara Period (646-794) and Urushi knowledge came from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) showing artisans how to add colors and gold materials to make objects more beautiful. Essentially Maki-e is a unique art form sowing gold, silver or platinum powders onto wet Urushi. Other precious materials such as abalone, corals, pearl, tortoise shells and ivory in fine thin layers (called Raden) are applied to contour lines drawn upon sticky Urushi to form elaborate designs. There are countless combinations of techniques to achieve a certain balance, beauty or transparency to the finished Maki-e design. Many of these techniques are explained in detail showing every step of creation and also a profile or biography of the artist.

Tools for Maki-e

Th author explains to us that among the most important tools used to create Maki-e are Fude (brushes) and other brushes. Some are made from only certain animal hairs based on their own characteristics. The brushes are made with the hair of mice, but only the hairs that grow on the back of mice can be used. Other sources for such extremely fine brushes are cat, fox, horse, squirrel hairs and from other species, with some of these brushes costing at least $500.

Without question the most valuable ingredient to produce Maki-e pens is the talent of the artists. In the early 1900’s there were around 500 fountain pen related firms in Tokyo alone. In addition to Pilot, Sailor and Platinum there were about 100 turneries producing pens and 60 each of gold nib makers and lacquer artists. Today all of these are gone, there are so few artisans left that are still working on genuine ebonite eye dropper fountain pens by hand.

The fountain pen community is grateful to Bernard Lyn for this monumental work bringing this age old art form to the attention of not only pen collectors world wide but all those who appreciate the art of Maki-e.

ISBN 957-9403-07-4 Publisher: Dani International Corp Publishing Year: 2003
1St Edition 1St Print Language: English Book Format: Hard Cover
Book Dimensions: 19x26.5 cm 255 Pages
Suggested retail price : $89.

Bernard Lyn –
Danitrio International Corp is the manufacturer of Danitrio fountain pens
http://www.danitrio.com

Only 1500 copies of this book have been printed
They are available from Ray Adams at Wood ‘N Dreams